Multifaceted potentials of tire-derived three dimensional geosynthetics in geotechnical applications and their evaluation

Scrapped tire-derived materials, such as tire chips and tire shreds, can be categorized as three dimensional geosynthetics. This paper introduces recent Japanese experience in geotechnical related applications of geosynthetics that focus mainly on tire chips and tire shreds. Three specific applications of tire chips and tire shreds are introduced here. They are: (1) tire shreds to improve drainage; (2) sand-mixed tire chips to mitigate earthquake damage; and (3) tire chips mixed with cement-treated clay to improve toughness and ductility. The developed techniques related to these applications, verification through model testing, as well as element testing and the field applications are presented. It was observed that tire shreds can maintain high permeability even under a high compressive load. When tire chips and/or sand-mixed tire chips are used as a compressible cushion, not only the dynamic load against a structure but also the dynamically induced permanent structural displacement could also be significantly reduced. On the other hand, mixing tire chips with cement-treated clay gives toughness to the geomaterial, and thus provides resistance against the development of cracks during deformation. In addition, an X-ray CT investigation of deformation behavior of such materials demonstrated the success of using cement-treated clay with tire chips as a sealing material to protect leakage of contaminated materials at a waste disposal site in Tokyo bay area.     

Rheological Studies of Dynamic Vulcanization of Butyl Rubber and Polypropylene Blends

Butyl rubber (BR) is blended with polypropylene (PP) in ratios of 92: 8, 84: 16, 68: 32, 50: 50, 32: 68, 16: 84, and 8 : 92 (w/w) for the study of dynamic vulcanization. It is observed that the cure torque increases with the decrease in BR content up to the ratio of 50: 50. No cure torque is observed in the ratios of 16: 84 and 8: 92 of BR: PP blends as the PP content becomes very high. On comparison of cure rate of the blends, the BR (100%) shows the highest cure rate because of the fast saturation of double bonds present in BR, whereas maximum cure torque, work energy, and totalized torque are observed in the 32: 68 BR: PP blend. It is the result of the formation of an interpenetrating network.     

Improving distribution efficiency of electrical network using geo-electrical options: a case study in a rural area of Assam (India)

Reduction of electricity distribution loss is a major area of focus in India. This paper aims to investigate geo-electrical options to improve distribution efficiency of electrical network. Distribution efficiencies corresponding to several possible electrical network options are assessed using Geographical Information System (GIS) integrated electrical theory. An existing electrical distribution network of a rural area in Assam (India) is considered for the present investigation. Information related to characteristics of loads, features of conductors, and transformers of the existing network are used for this investigation. The line losses of the three existing transformers are estimated at about 36, 20, and 3?% of their respective connected loads. Longer distribution lines associated with higher loads are the causes of higher line losses. Using basic electrical theory and GIS tools, it is found that line losses can be reduced in the existing distribution system through management of distribution transformer and reconductoring. Two alternative locations for each of the three transformers are identified for optimal management of distribution transformers. Similarly, five different types of commercially available conductors are identified for possible reconductoring to reduce line loss. The economic viability of reconductoring of distribution lines are also assessed through an economic analysis. Net present values of total expenditure comprising purchase prices of conductor and cost attributed to line losses are estimated considering 30?years of useful life. The existing conductor has the worst economic merit, though it is the cheapest amongst all. A net saving of about US $24,084 is possible through the best choice of distribution conductor for the village.     

BrC-MCDLM: breast Cancer detection using Multi-Channel deep learning model

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Breast cancer (BrC) is a lethal form of cancer which causes numerous deaths in women across the world. Generally, mammograms and histopathology biopsy images are...     

Some studies on carotenoids and their degradation in black tea manufacture

The four major carotenoids, β-carotene, lutein, violaxanthine and neoxanthine were estimated spectroscopically in four different Tocklai Experimental Station released tea clones, namely, TV-1 (China hybrid), TV-2 (Assam(Betjan) variety), TV-9 (Assam-Cambod variety) and TV-17 (China hybrid). The quantitative changes of these carotenoids in different stages of black-tea manufacture were also studied in TV-2 (less flavoury) and TV-17 (flavoury) clones against TV-1 as standard. Comparative study showed that TV-2 contained the least amount of these carotenoids where as TV-9 and TV-17 contained greater amounts. All these carotenoids were found to decrease appreciably during black-tea manufacture. The decrease was found to be higher in the curling, tearing, crushing method than in the conventional orthodox method of tea manufacture. The changes of two of these carotenoids viz. β-carotene and lutein were not significant statistically during withering but were highly significant during fermentation. However, the reverse was true for violaxanthine where as the neoxanthine shows significant changes in both of these stages. The vitamin-A value was calculated from the residual β-carotene amount, pro-vitamin A, in black tea.     

A comparative study of voltage stability indices in a power system

The paper compares the effectiveness of voltage stability indices in providing information about the proximity of voltage instability of a power system. Three simple voltage stability indices are proposed and their effectiveness is compared with some of the recently proposed indices. The comparison is carried out over a wide range of system operating conditions by changing the load power factor and feeder X/R ratios. Test results for the IEEE 57 bus and IEEE 118 bus system are presented.     

Properties of softwood polymer composites impregnated with nanoparticles and melamine formaldehyde furfuryl alcohol copolymer

Wood polymer composites (WPC) based on nano SiO₂ and nanoclay were prepared by the impregnation of melamine formaldehyde‐furfuryl alcohol copolymer, 1,3‐dimethylol 4,5‐dihydroxy ethylene urea, a crosslinking agent, and a renewable polymer. Surface modification of SiO₂ and formation of composites were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). X‐ray diffractometry (XRD) studies indicated a decrease in crystallinity of the composites. The crystallinity index value of wood cellulose decreased from 63.8 to 30.8 as determined from FTIR and XRD studies. Scanning Electron Microscopy was used for morphological characterization. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) showed uniform distribution of nano SiO₂ and nanoclay in the composites. Remarkable reduction in water uptake capacity was observed for the treated wood samples. It was found to reduce from 142.2% to 30.2%. Both tensile and flexural properties increased upto 76.5% and 23.6%, respectively in the WPCs. An improvement in chemical resistance, flame retardancy and thermal stability were observed in the composites as a result of treatment. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:1019–1029, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Characterisation of crude oil for enhanced oil recovery: study with anionic surfactant

A chemically enhanced recovery technique is used where thermal recovery is not feasible. It reduces the interfacial tension by forming a microemulsion. In this paper, characterisation of crude oil in terms of chemical bonds present is investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The peaks at different wave number show saturated groups such as n-alkane –CH, –CH₂, –CH₃ and short chain of n-alkane C–C bond present in the oil samples. Since the crudes are collected from an anionic reservoir, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) of 0.4% critical micelle concentration is suitable. It has been seen that the particle size increases in the case of a surfactant solution with oil compared to one without oil indicating entrapment of oil components inside the surfactant micelle. The larger absorptions of SDS from UV spectroscopy are caused by electrons moving between π and π* orbitals due to the presence of more unsaturated groups in the solution.