The convergence of alternative food networks within “rural development” initiatives: the case of the New Rural Reconstruction Movement in China†

Rural sociologists and geographers have conceptualised different rural development trajectories including “the agri-industrial model”, “the post-productivist model” and “the rural development model”. Alternative food networks (AFNs) are increasingly recognised as a “forerunner” and a critical component of the emerging “rural development model” in the West. Meanwhile, Marsden and Franklin [2013. Replacing neoliberalism: theoretical implications of the rise of local food movements. Local Environment, 18 (5), 636–641] pointed out that there is a “local trap” in the current conceptualisation of AFNs that overemphasises their local embeddedness and heterogeneity. This “local trap” marginalises AFNs and, therefore, hinders their potential for transforming the industrialised conventional food system. The convergence and scaling-up of fragmented AFNs have been recognised as important ways to address this marginalisation issue and thus have attracted considerable attention. However, current studies of the convergence of AFNs focus mainly on the role of food-centred organisations without recognising the role of the emerging “rural development” initiatives in the convergence of AFNs. Based on in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and analysis of secondary data, this paper uses the New Rural Reconstruction Movement (NRRM), an emerging alternative rural development movement in China, as an example to illustrate how the NRRM opens up a novel space for the convergence of AFNs. We argue that the interrelationship between AFNs and rural development is indeed reciprocal. The NRRM, following the “rural development” trajectory, functions as a hub for the convergence and scaling-up of various alternative food initiatives. Strategies for achieving convergence include constructing a “common ground” for these initiatives, establishing national alliances and organisations, sharing knowledge and exchanging personnel among them.     

脉冲放电等离子体治理甲苯废气放大试验研究

应用脉冲放电等离子体技术,在线板式反应器内对低浓度甲苯废气的治理进行放大试验.采用闸流管开关脉冲电源,其最大输出功率1kW,最大脉冲电压峰值100kV. 试验规模4～16m³·h^-1. 试验考察了峰值电压、重复频率、进口浓度和处理气量对甲苯去除率的影响.结果表明:峰值电场强度在9～12kV·cm^-1范围内增加,甲苯去除率相应明显提高;当处理气量为4 m³·h^-1、脉冲电压峰值69kV、进口浓度1 180mg·m^-3、重复频率300pps时, 甲苯的去除率可达88%;反应器的能量利用率在16g·(kW·h)^-1左右;甲苯的降解产物主要是CO₂和H₂O,还有少量CO. 结合甲苯去除率与能量密度、甲苯进口浓度的关系,建立反应器动力学模型,获得甲苯的反应速率常数为0.00356 L·J^-1. 为进一步优化放大反应器设计及与电源匹配提供了基础数据.     

介质阻挡放电脱除模拟工业苯系物的可行性

采用介质阻挡放电(DBD)技术降解流动态"三苯"(苯、甲苯和二甲苯)模拟废气,分析了浓度、气体流速对其降解的影响.对混合"三苯"废气进行单级和串联运行中试放大试验研究,结果显示,DBD串联可以在一定程度上提高"三苯"的去除率.三级申联时三种气体去除率都达到89%以上,对"三苯"混合废气单位体积处理费用进行了估算,结果表明,单级运行时1000m3废气处理费用只需1～3元.最后指出,要真正实现DBD降解苯系物工业化,首先要解决的还是管壁结焦和出流气体中的气溶胶粒子问题.     

Pilot-scale biopesticide production by Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki using starch industry wastewater as raw material

Pilot-scale Bacillus thuringiensis based biopesticide production (2000 L bioreactor) was conducted using starch industry wastewater (SIW) as a raw material using optimized operational parameters obtained in 15 L and 150 L fermenters. In pilot scale fermentation process the oxygen transfer rate is a major limiting factor for high product yield. Thus, the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (K_La) remains a tool to determine the oxygen transfer capacity [oxygen utilization rate (OUR) and oxygen transfer rate (OTR)] to obtain better bacterial growth rate and entomotoxicity in new bioreactor process optimization and scale-up. This study results demonstrated that the oxygen transfer rate in 2000 L bioreactor was better than 15 L and 150 L fermenters. The better oxygen transfer in 2000 L bioreactor augmented the bacterial growth [total cell (TC) and viable spore count (SC)] and delta-endotoxin yield. Prepared a stable biopesticide formulation for field use and its entomotoxicity was also evaluated. This study result corroborates the feasibility of industrial scale operation of biopesticide production using starch industry wastewater as raw material.