We describe a polygeneration system that can run on neat plant oils, such as Jatropha and Pongamia, or standard diesel fuel. A prototype has been constructed using a compression ignition engine of 9.9 kW shaft output. It consumes 3 L/h of fuel and will produce 40 kg/h of ice by means of an adsorption refrigerator powered from the engine jacket heat. Steaming of rice, deep and shallow frying, and other types of food preparation heated by the exhaust gas have been demonstrated. In addition, the feasibility of producing distilled water by means of multiple-effect distillation powered by the engine waste heat is shown. Overall plant efficiency and potential savings in greenhouse gas emissions are discussed.

A bibliographic search yielded a set of empirical equations that constitute an easy method for the calculation of some thermophysical properties of both liquid water and ice I, properties that are involved in the modeling of thermal processes in the high-pressure domain, as required in the design of new high-pressure food processes. These properties, closely interrelated in their physical derivation and experimental measurement, are specific volume, specific isobaric heat capacity, thermal expansion coefficient, and isothermal compressibility coefficient. Where no single equation was found, an alternative method for calculation is proposed. Keeping in mind the intended applications and considering the availability of both experimental data and empirical equations, the limits for the set of equations where set in -40 to 120 degrees C and 0 to 500 MPa for liquid water and -30 to 0 degrees C and 0 to 210 MPa for ice I. The equations and methods selected for each property are described and their results analyzed. Their good agreement with many existing experimental data is discussed. In addition, the routines implemented for the calculation of these properties after the described equations are made available in the public domain.

Modified cold-induced aggregation microextraction (M-CIAME) is a fast and simple method for extraction and preconcentration of metal ions from samples with high salt content. Furthermore, this technique is much safer in comparison with the organic solvent extraction. The extraction of palladium (Pd) was performed in the presence of Michler thioketone (TMK) as the complexing agent. In this method, sodium hexafluorophosphate (NaPF6) was added to the sample solution containing small amounts of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [Hmim][BF4]. Afterwards, the solution was placed in the ice bath and a cloudy solution was formed. After centrifuging, the extraction phase was settled. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.2 ng mL-1. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 1.7% for 40 ng mL-1 of palladium (n = 5).