Open Access
The integration of mechanical energy absorbers into rollover protective structures to improve the safety of agricultural tractors in the event of rollover
(MDPI, 2024) Alfaro López, José Ramón; Pérez Ezcurdia, Amaya; Latorre Biel, Juan Ignacio; Arana Navarro, Ignacio; Benito Amurrio, Marta; Villanueva Roldán, Pedro; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa, PJUPNA1912
The combination of safety belts and rollover protective structures (ROPSs) is key in improving the safety of agricultural tractors in the event of rollover. However, we also have the opportunity to enhance the security provided by each ROPS; one such example is the combination of this safety device with adequate mechanical energy absorbers (MEAs). Inexpensive disc-shaped MEAs can be included in the anchoring points of a ROPS onto the chassis of a tractor. Three configurations of ROPS combined with MEAs were tested during the application of loads that simulated the effects of side rollover in the vehicle. The tested configurations included a blank MEA as a reference case alongside a single MEA and a stack assembly containing both elements. The results of the tests show that both the deformation of the ROPS itself and the strain energy are larger in the case of blank MEAs; thus, there is also a risk that the clearance zone will be infringed upon and that the protective structure will collapse. We can conclude that the implementation of an appropriate MEA in ROPS reduces the deformation of the ROPS itself and its strain energy in cases of vehicle rollover; hence, the safety provided by such protection systems may be improved at a low cost.
Open Access
Analysis of product shrinkage and waste in a potato bagging plant
(Dime University of Genoa, 2022) Sáenz Baños, Mercedes Irache; Latorre Biel, Juan Ignacio; Blanco Fernández, Julio; Martínez Cámara, Eduardo; Pérez de la Parte, P.; Jiménez Macías, Emilio; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
Nowadays, an average of 2 kg of waste per person are generated in Spain. Furthermore, the household consumption is rising and, as a consequence, the waste production is also increasing. This trend presents a direct impact in the environment. Moreover, after two years of COVID-19 pandemic, it has been detected a stronger rise in consumption per person, while consumption through professional commercial channels for hospitality industry has been lower. This paper analizes the waste generation and product shrinkage in a potato bagging plant, which addresses its production to both final consumers and retailers. The raw materials washing line, as well as the production line, are taken into consideration in the analysis, while new uses to the produced waste are proposed, aiming at providing new useful life, such as the production of bioplastics or the production of biodiesel. As a consequence, the environment impact is minimized and new products are obtained.
Open Access
Environmental impact analysis of natural cork stopper manufacturing
(MDPI, 2022) Flor Montalvo, Francisco Javier; Martínez Cámara, Eduardo; García Alcaraz, Jorge Luis; Jiménez Macías, Emilio; Latorre Biel, Juan Ignacio; Blanco Fernández, Julio; Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de Materiales; Mekanika, Energetika eta Materialen Ingeniaritza
For both wine makers and customers, natural cork stoppers are a symbol of quality. More-over, they are essential for maintaining the organoleptic properties of bottled wines throughout their lifespan. This research relied on the life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to analyze the relationship between the efficient usage of cork planks and the environmental impact of the cork stopper manufacturing industry. The goals of this research were to analyze and determine the environmental impact of producing 1 kg of natural cork stoppers. The analysis considered cork stoppers of two sizes—24 × 44 mm and 26 × 44 mm—and two manufacturing methods—punching and turning. Our findings indicated that the 24 × 44 mm cork stoppers produced with the punching method had a slightly lower environmental impact (1.36 kg CO2 eq/kg) across the ten analyzed impact categories. Conversely, 26 × 44 mm turned corks had the highest impact on the environment (1.49 kg CO2 eq/kg). Additionally, a comparison of same-sized punched and turned cork stoppers showed that the former had a lower environmental impact. This phenomenon is directly related to plank usage. In conclusion, there is a clear relationship between environmental impact and the efficient usage of raw material. In turn, an efficient usage of raw material depends on both the manufacturing method and stopper size.
Open Access
Cognitive systems for the energy efficiency industry
(MDPI, 2024) Arévalo Royo, Javier; Latorre Biel, Juan Ignacio; Flor Montalvo, Francisco Javier; Pérez-Parte, Mercedes; Blanco Fernández, Julio; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
This review underscores the pivotal role of Cognitive Systems (CS) in enhancing energy efficiency within the industrial sector, exploring the application of sophisticated algorithms, data analytics, and machine learning techniques to the real-time optimization of energy consumption. This methodology has the potential to reduce operational expenses and further diminish environmental repercussions; however, it also leverages data-driven insights and predictive maintenance to foresee equipment malfunctions and modulate energy utilization accordingly. The viability of integrating renewable energy sources is emphasized, supporting a transition towards sustainability. Furthermore, this research includes a bibliometric literature analysis from the past decade on the deployment of CS and Artificial Intelligence in enhancing industrial energy efficiency.
Open Access
Water footprint of a 5 kg bag of washed potatoes
(Cal-Tek srl, 2023) Sáenz Baños, Mercedes Irache; Latorre Biel, Juan Ignacio; Martínez Cámara, Eduardo; Jiménez Macías, Emilio; Blanco Fernández, Julio; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
Climate change and water scarcity increasingly impact agricultural systems. Therefore, studying food systems in depth through a water footprint perspective and their effects on water resources is necessary. Potatoes are one of the most widely consumed foods globally. This article analyzes the water footprint of a 5 kg bag of washed potatoes using a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. A cradle-to-gate model is created, and four environmental impact assessment methods are applied to determine the impacts on water resources. The results obtained are consistent across all four methods, indicating that water consumption in the potato washing stage has the most significant impact. The second highest water consumption occurs during the agricultural cultivation phase. Furthermore, this agricultural phase has the highest impact on other water-related categories, including such as Water Pollutants, Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP) into Water, Heavy Metals into Water, and Radioactive Substances into Water.
Open Access
Methodology for energy demand reduction of potato cold storage process
(Wiley, 2022) Sáenz Baños, Mercedes Irache; Latorre Biel, Juan Ignacio; Martínez Cámara, Eduardo; Jiménez Macías, Emilio; Longo, Francesco; Blanco Fernández, Julio; Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de Materiales; Mekanika, Energetika eta Materialen Ingeniaritza
In order to maintain the quality of the potatoes over time, it is necessary to store them under certain storage conditions, which minimize losses both of quality and product, preferably without using chemical treatments. Conservation chambers consume a considerable amount of energy. Between 60% and 70% of the electricity consumed is used in refrigeration. Good insulation reduces the need for cooling the potato since its optimum storage temperature for consumption is around 4–7 C and relative humidity is 85%–90%. This research studies potatoes’ cold storage process to minimize the cost in the product value chain and to ensure its competitiveness in the market. A model is developed to assess energy consumption and propose measures to reduce energy, environmental, and economic costs. All this to reduce their impact within the value chain of potato consumption. Practical Applications: In this case study, different energy efficiency measures applied to the cold storage of potatoes have been implemented: replacement or improvement of the performance of refrigeration equipment, insulation and infiltrations in the refrigeration chamber, control of the product entry temperature, thermal conditioning through free-cooling, improvements in lighting equipment, technical management, and supervision of facilities, and thermographic control. The set of actions implemented has allowed to obtain a reduction in energy demand, standardized through the developed reference line, by 16.41% compared to previous years.
Open Access
Influence of geometry in the behavior of disc-shaped mechanical energy absorbers for agricultural tractors
(MDPI, 2021-12-20) Latorre Biel, Juan Ignacio; Pérez Ezcurdia, Amaya; Benito Amurrio, Marta; Alfaro López, José Ramón; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa, PJUPNA1912
Disc-shaped mechanical energy absorbers (MEAs), in combination with rollover protection structures (ROPSs), may contribute to the prevention of the infringement of the safety zone and the collapse of the ROPS in case of the overturn of an agricultural tractor. An MEA can absorb a significant amount of potential energy of an overturning tractor and its deformation produces a rotation of the ROPS around the safety zone. In this research, MEAs with two different geometries have been developed. Both geometries present common features, such as disc dimensions, number of rings, and number of arms, but the distribution of the arms differs. Additionally, these MEA were manufactured in steel discs of four different thicknesses, ranging from 2 to 6 mm. The manufactured MEAs were tested in a universal testing machine, and their behavior characterized. From this data, linear models of the MEAs were developed. As a consequence, a number of characteristic parameters were selected and calculated, such as the activation load and the strain energy absorbed in a safe range of applied loads. Some patterns and trends were analyzed from the tested MEAs, which enables a better description of their behavior and the extrapolation of this behavior to other non-tested thicknesses and geometries.
Open Access
AI algorithms in the agrifood industry: application potential in the Spanish agrifood context
(MDPI, 2025-02-17) Arévalo Royo, Javier; Flor Montalvo, Francisco Javier; Latorre Biel, Juan Ignacio; Tino Ramos, Rubén; Martínez Cámara, Eduardo; Blanco Fernández, Julio; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
This research explores the prospective implementations of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms within the agrifood sector, focusing on the Spanish context. AI methodologies, encompassing machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks, are increasingly integrated into various agrifood sectors, including precision farming, crop yield forecasting, disease diagnosis, and resource management. Utilizing a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of scientific literature from 2020 to 2024, this research outlines the increasing incorporation of AI in Spain and identifies the prevailing trends and obstacles associated with it in the agrifood industry. The findings underscore the extensive application of AI in remote sensing, water management, and environmental sustainability. These areas are particularly pertinent to Spain¿s diverse agricultural landscapes. Additionally, the study conducts a comparative analysis between Spain and global research outputs, highlighting its distinctive contributions and the unique challenges encountered within its agricultural sector. Despite the considerable opportunities presented by these technologies, the research identifies key limitations, including the need for enhanced digital infrastructure, improved data integration, and increased accessibility for smaller agricultural enterprises. The paper also outlines future research pathways aimed at facilitating the integration of AI in Spain's agriculture. It addresses cost-effective solutions, data-sharing frameworks, and the ethical and societal implications inherent to AI deployment.
Open Access
The characterization of the alcoholic fermentation process in wine production based on acoustic emission analysis
(MDPI, 2024-12-07) Sánchez Roca, Ángel; Latorre Biel, Juan Ignacio; Jiménez Macías, Emilio; Sáenz Díez, Juan Carlos; Blanco Fernández, Julio; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
The present experimental study assessed the viability of utilizing an acoustic emission signal as a monitoring instrument to predict the chemical characteristics of wine throughout the alcoholic fermentation process. The purpose of this study is to acquire the acoustic emission signals generated by CO₂ bubbles to calculate the must density and monitor the kinetics of the alcoholic fermentation process. The kinetics of the process were evaluated in real time using a hydrophone immersed in the liquid within the fermentation tank. The measurements were conducted in multiple fermentation tanks at a winery engaged in the production of wines bearing the Rioja Denomination of Origin (D.O.) designation. Acoustic signals were acquired throughout the entirety of the fermentation process, via a sampling period of five minutes, and stored for subsequent processing. To validate the results, the measurements obtained manually in the laboratory by the winemaker were collected during this stage. Signal processing was conducted to extract descriptors from the acoustic signal and evaluate their correlation with the experimental data acquired during the process. The results of the analyses confirm that there is a high linear correlation between the density data obtained from the acoustic analysis and the density data obtained at the laboratory level, with determination coefficients exceeding 95%. The acoustic emission signal is a valuable decision-making tool for technicians and winemakers due to its sensitivity when describing variations in kinetics and density during the alcoholic fermentation process.
Open Access
Design, manufacturing, validation of a multi-orientation tilt test bench for testing vehicles rollover and tests of ATV-Quad for agricultural applications
(MDPI, 2021) Bacaicoa Díaz, Julen; Ballesteros Egüés, Tomás; Arana Navarro, Ignacio; Aginaga García, Jokin; Latorre Biel, Juan Ignacio; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
A rollover test bench has been designed, manufactured, and validated for analyzing the all-terrain vehicle (ATV)-Quad overturn of diverse vehicles in different configurations, such as installing a rollover protection system (ROPS), considering drivers of different physical constitutions, the appropriate use of safety belts, or having a full or empty fuel tank. The main purpose of this research is to determine the tilt angle of the vehicle that triggers the ATV-Quad overturn. The scope of the design and development of the newly conceived bench include the mechanical structure, the electronics and the control. It can simulate static and dynamic rollover in different directions. As a main conclusion, it can be stated that the performance of the test bench was successful, since it allowed for the development of several ATV models, equipped with different dummies, in a variety of configurations. In particular, it was possible to assess the effectivity of the AD-ROPS system (automatically deployed ROPS), regarding the protection of the driver of the vehicle. Moreover, multiple tests, performed with diverse ATV-Quads in the developed bench and in different configurations, have been reported and their results discussed.