Production and characterisation of bio-oil from Gold Mohar (Delonix regia) seed through pyrolysis process

Fast pyrolysis of the crushed Delonix regia seed was carried out in a semi-batch reactor at a temperature ranging from 400 to 650°C with an objective to produce bio-oil. The effect of temperature to obtain an optimum condition for maximum bio-oil yield and the composition of pyrolysis product were investigated. The maximum bio-oil yield was found to be 48?wt% at pyrolysis temperature of 600°C. The chemical composition of bio-oil obtained at optimum condition was analysed using Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy and Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The chemical analysis of the biofuel showed the presence of hydrocarbons in major, aldehydes, ketones, amides, nitriles, etc. The composition and fuel characteristics of the pyrolysis oil obtained in this work show that it may potentially be used as a renewable fuel and chemical feedstock.     

Chryseobacterium meningosepticum in a parapneumonic effusion in a chronic kidney disease patient on hemodialysis

Chryseobacterium meningosepticum is an uncommon human pathogen, which is an inhabitant of soil and water. It should be included in the list of suspected nosocomial infections, especially in patients with immunocompromised status. C. meningosepticum infections are not common but are clinically important because the organism is naturally resistant to multiple antibiotics. We report a case where the bacterium was isolated from the pleural fluid from a chronic kidney disease patient on hemodialysis, who developed pneumonia with complicated parapneumonic effusion. To the best of our knowedge, this is the first case where C. meningosepticum is isolated from the pleural effusion, from India.     

Homogenization for Dispersion and Reduction in Length of Carbon Nanotubes

An important aspect that limits the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is the difficulty in obtaining homogeneously dispersed CNTs of uniform length. Hence, homogenization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was carried out using bullet blender and the dispersion behavior was compared with that of ultrasonication. 1% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), Triton-x-100 and polyethylene glycol 4000 were used as dispersing agents during homogenization. The dispersed CNTs were studied using transmission electron microscopy, ImageJ and Raman spectroscopy. Though dispersion and reduction in length of MWCNTs were observed both with ultrasonication and homogenization, lowest length range with about 75% reduction in polydispersity index was obtained on homogenization. Longer time of ultrasonication resulted in damage to small MWCNTs. Well dispersed and shorter MWCNTs were obtained with Triton-x-100 while reduction in length was minimum with SDS. SWCNTs of less than 1 μm length could be obtained by homogenization with Triton-x-100.     

Phytochemical Constituents,Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis and Antimicrobial Activity of Four Plant Leaves Used for Preparing Rice Beer in Assam,India

Phytochemicals content and antimicrobial activity of Artocarpus heterophyllus, Cyclosorus extensa, Oldendia corymbosa, and Alpinia malaccensis were investigated. Maximum alkaloids and terpenoids were found in A. heterophyllus; tannins and saponins in C. extensa; flavonoids, polyphenols, and phytosterols in O. corymbosa and anthraquinone, glycosides, and anthocyaninin A. malaccensis. Aqueous, methanolic, ethyl acetate, and hexane extracts were prepared from all the leaves. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometric (ATR-FTIR) analysis revealed that alkanes and alkyl halides were prevalent in all the extracts and the ethyl acetate extracts contained comparatively higher number of functional groups, which were also more effective against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration values of A. malaccensis against the tested pathogens were found to be lesser than the other species.     

Use of mesalime and electric arc furnace (EAF) dust as neutralising agents in biooxidation and their effects on gold recovery in subsequent cyanidation

The cost of lime/limestone for neutralisation is the second largest operating cost in bioleaching. Therefore, these studies have been conducted with the aim to investigate the possibilities for use of by-products such as mesalime and electric arc furnace (EAF) dust for neutralisation during biooxidation of a refractory gold concentrate. Experiments were carried out using a retention time of 57 h in a one-stage reactor and the influence of two industrial by-products on the biooxidation performance was evaluated. The neutralising capacity of EAF dust was lower, while the mesalime was similar to the Ca(OH)₂ reference. The arsenopyrite oxidation in experiments ranged from 85% to 90%, whereas the pyrite oxidation was 63–74%. In subsequent cyanidation, final gold recoveries of 90% were achieved in bioresidues from mesalime and Ca(OH)₂, while the EAF dust bioresidue had a recovery of 85%. A comparatively high elemental sulphur content in EAF dust probably encapsulates part of the gold, which explains the lower recovery for the EAF dust bioresidue despite a longer residence time. Cyanide consumption was relatively high and ranged from 8.1 to 9.2 kg/ton feed after 24 h of cyanidation. Overall, the by-products tested here have proved to be feasible options as neutralising agents in bioleaching operations.     

Augmented reality assisted facility layout digitization and planning

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - Facility layout planning (FLP) has an important role in manufacturing industries. There are few approaches to solve FLP such as procedural,...     

Modelling of probability of failure of concrete columns

This paper predicts the probability of failure or short and long columns of square reinforced concrete for deterministic and probabilistic loads. The effect of various parameters; width, length of column, effective length coefficient, percentage of steel, axial load, grade of concrete and random numbers; on the probability of failure of the column is studied. The material, geometric parameters and the load are treated as probabilistic. The results for short columns show that the rate of decrease of probability of failure is a maximum with increase in width, while it increased to a maximum with increase in loads, whereas for long columns the length of column had the predominant effect.     

Large electrocaloric effect with ultrawide temperature span in Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3-based lead-free ceramics

Innovative cooling technologies are recognized by many industries as a crucial part of their system design. A large electrocaloric effect (ECE) and extended working temperature are the key issues hindering the realization of electrocaloric refrigeration technology. In this work, large ECE (ΔT = 0.8–0.9°C @ 4 kV/mm) with an ultrawide temperature span from 30 to 120°C is noted for lead-free (Na_1/2Bi_1/2)_0.80Sr_0.20(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)_xTi_1-xO₃ ceramics. The excellent ECE performance can be ascribed to the evolution of polar nanoregions. Our work suggests that this material is promising for applications in solid-state refrigeration systems with a broad range of operating temperatures.     

Synthesis of nanostructured copper hexacyanidoferrate and its application in voltammeteric detection of salbutamol

Nanostructured copper hexacyanidoferrate has been synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, thermal and infrared spectral studies. The transmission electron microscopic studies of the synthesized material showed that it consisted of irregular oval and rod shaped particles with a size range 70–100 nm. Nanostructured copper hexacyanidoferrate modified glassy carbon electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetery and nanostructured copper hexacyanidoferrate–carbon nanotube composite material modified glassy carbon electrode has been used for electrocatalytic oxidation of salbutamol. The electrode modified with composite material was found to reduce the peak potential of oxidation of salbutamol by nearly 90 mV.