OIL&SUGAR

Training and collaboration on material developments and process improvements in oil and sugar production

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The problems encountered in the industrial processing of oil and sugar are connected with corrosion, biochemical and/or biological reactions, friction, wear, and combined corrosion-wear of materials used in mechanical parts. The main concerns are on one hand a material degradation that generates risks of contamination during food production, and on the other hand the actual machinery that needs to be improved from a technological and an economical point of view.

This project aims to intensify research and training activities in the fields of science and technology of main importance in oil and sugar production, and to contribute by a multidisciplinary approach to overcome the limits of existing production technologies. Partners intend to contribute to find solutions to these complex problems by carrying out research projects through networking activities, by organizing the training of young researchers, and by transferring among them advanced technology- and material-related knowledge.

The activities proposed are aimed at investigating: - the mechanisms of material degradation with a peculiar attention on the specific biological surroundings encountered in oil and sugar processing, - the recent developments in metallic materials and coating technologies as to optimize the characteristics of materials and to increase process efficiency in oil and sugar production, - new processing technologies and research methodologies made available by partners.

The complementary of the partners’ backgrounds is a guarantee to generate new scientific and technological insights as an attraction pole of young researchers for material and process developments in oil and sugar production. Modern methods of surface modification of materials, new extraction technology, novel biocompatible materials, and advanced ex- and/or in-situ characterization methods of material surfaces are the core of this project.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Industrial food processing relies on substances such as oil and sugar. An EU initiative is looking to provide solutions for problems that result from oil and sugar production.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The industrial processing of oil and sugar may lead to corrosion, biochemical and biological effects, friction and wear, as well as the degradation of materials. This is due to the combined effects of wear and corrosion in various mechanical parts. Material degradation can result in contamination during food production. Another issue is the need for more modern and cost-effective machinery for industrial processing.

With the support of EU funding, the OIL&SUGAR project seeks to step up science and technology research and training actions that are key to oil and sugar production. It will also undertake multidisciplinary work to tackle the limitations of current production technologies.

The focus of project activities is on novel techniques for the surface modification of materials, cutting-edge extraction technology, innovative biocompatible materials and pioneering approaches to material surfaces.

Researchers are looking at material degradation during oil and sugar processing. They examined how the physical properties of olive oil affect corrosion. A study showed that wear was a leading cause of problems in the production of olive oil.

Team members are also taking into account the latest progress achieved in metallic materials and coating technologies. They developed a system to provide a more accurate assessment of wear issues when olive oil is being extracted.

The new processing technologies and methods proposed by OIL&SUGAR promise to enhance the features of materials, as well as to lower costs and increase production in oil and sugar.