title: A Novel Approach To Improve the Efficiency of Block Freeze Concentration Using Ice Nucleation Proteins with Altered Ice Morphology.
abstract: Freeze concentration is a separation process with high success in product quality. The remaining challenge is to achieve high efficiency with low cost. This study aims to evaluate the potential of using ice nucleation proteins (INPs) as an effective method to improve the efficiency of block freeze concentration while also exploring the related mechanism of ice morphology. Our results show that INPs are able to significantly improve the efficiency of block freeze concentration in a desalination model. Using this experimental system, we estimate that approximately 50% of the energy cost can be saved by the inclusion of INPs in desalination cycles while still meeting the EPA standard of drinking water (<500 ppm). Our investigative tools for ice morphology include optical microscopy and X-ray computed tomography imaging analysis. Their use indicates that INPs promote the development of a lamellar structured ice matrix with larger hydraulic diameters, which facilitates brine drainage and contains less brine entrapment as compared to control samples. These results suggest great potential for applying INPs to develop an energy-saving freeze concentration method via the alteration of ice morphology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey , 65 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States.
authors.forename: Jue
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7242-9573
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Molecular Imaging Center, Rutgers Translational Sciences, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey , 41 Gordon Road, Suite D, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States.
authors.forename: Edward J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Yurkow
authors.affiliation: Molecular Imaging Center, Rutgers Translational Sciences, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey , 41 Gordon Road, Suite D, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States.
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey , 65 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States.
authors.forename: Tung-Ching
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D005615:Freezing; D007053:Ice / Q000032:analysis; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D007053:Ice; C063113:ice nucleation protein; D014867:Water
keywords: X-ray computed tomography; desalination; freeze concentration efficiency; ice morphology; ice nucleation proteins (INPs)