STUDIES ON SLUDGE FROM WAXY CRUDE OIL STORAGE TANK. II. SOLVENT FRACTIONATION

Abstract

The sludge formed from crude oil (Bombay High crude oil) dump storage has been analysed by solvent extraction with a series of solvents of increasing polarity. The extract fractions so obtained have been analysed extensively. The nature of the sludge is compared with the similar sludges reported by other workers.     

Operation of Sardar Sarovar Conveyance System

Conveying 11.7 BCM of water annually over a distance of up to 700 km fulfilling the functional requirements such as safety, flexibility, dependability, equity of distribution and efficiency is challenging by any standard. Operation of the Sardar Sarovar Conveyance System is even more critical because of its unprecedented size, complexity, value of water for the drought-prone areas and inter-state commitments. This paper analyses the functional requirements of the system vis-à-vis the limitations of conventional operation. The Controlled Volume Concept of operation through remote monitoring and a control system is adopted, which calls for canal automation as a 'solution'. Discussing issues such as maintenance, training, economic evaluation etc., the paper concludes that the pilot project taken up on Vadodara DOC will be a forerunner for other irrigation projects.     

Electrothermal model for simulation of bulk-Si and SOI diodes in ESD protection circuits

An electrothermal diode model intended for implementation in a SPICE-like simulator is presented. The model is valid in the high current, forward-bias and reverse-breakdown regimes where diodes operate during ESD events. We also present a procedure for extracting the temperature of an SOI diode from an I–V measurement.     

Wavelength dependent laser-induced etching of Cr-O doped GaAs: Morphology studies by SEM and AFM

The laser induced etching of semi-insulating GaAs 〈100〉 is carried out to create porous structure under super- and sub-bandgap photon illumination (h v). The etching mechanism is different for these separate illuminations where defect states play the key role in making distinction between these two processes. Separate models are proposed for both the cases to explain the etching efficiency. It is observed that under sub-bandgap photon illumination the etching process starts vigorously through the mediation of intermediate defect states. The defect states initiate the pits formation and subsequently pore propagation occurs due to asymmetric electric field in the pore. Formation of GaAs nanostructures is observed using scanning electron (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).     

Modeling of chip–tool interface friction to predict cutting forces in machining of Al/SiCp composites

In Al/SiCp metal matrix composites, in addition to machine, tool and process-related parameters, a change in composition (size and volume fraction of reinforcement) has a influence on machining force components. In the analytical models in the literature, the effect of abrasive reinforcement particles, which affects the coefficient of friction and consequently the friction angle, has not been considered while predicting cutting forces in machining of MMCs. In this paper, chip–tool interface friction in machining of Al/SiCp composites has been considered to involve two-body abrasion and three-body rolling caused due to presence of reinforcements in composites. The model evaluates resulting coefficient of friction to predict the cutting forces during machining of Al/SiCp composites using theory of oblique cutting. Further, the model considers various frictional forces on the wiper geometry on the cutting edge that has been found to improve the integrity of machined surface on composites. The predicted cutting force values were found to agree well with the corresponding experimental values for finer reinforcements composites with the assumption that 40% of the reinforcement particles contribute to the abrasion at chip–tool interface. However, for the coarser reinforcement composites, assumption that the 60% of the particles contribute to the abrasion yields better results.     

Analysis of the wetting behaviour of pigments and the effectiveness of surfactants

A new test method is introduced to analyse the wetting behaviour of pigments and the effectiveness of surfactants. The method involves the study of torque vs time curves obtained during the wetting of pigments by surfactant solutions. These curves provide valuable information regarding the wetting behaviour of pigments and the ability of the surfactant to wet the pigment. To study the wetting behaviour, two pigments which varied widely in their surface character are studied with the same surfactant, while, to study the effectiveness of the surfactant, different surfactants with differing polarity are studied using the same pigment. The results are found to be consistent with the theoretical expectations.     

Selectivity of Silicon Carbide/Stainless Steel Solid-State Reactions and Discontinuous Decomposition of Silicon Carbide

Solid-state reactions of SiC with a multicomponent system, stainless steel, have been studied at 1125°C. Four-layered reaction products consisting of modulated carbon precipitation zone, random carbon precipitation zone, four-phase mixture zone, and grain-boundary precipitation zone were formed in the reaction zone. The carbon precipitates were embedded in a matrix of complex metal silicides. In addition, extensive interfacial melting was noted. Carbon atom was found to diffuse faster than Si and selectively reacted with Cr to form Cr carbide(s) along the grain boundaries of stainless steel. No Fe carbides or Ni carbides were ever detected. Among the consituents existing in stainless steel, Ni atoms have the highest affinity for Si. An uphill diffusion of Ni toward the SiC reaction front was observed. While the diffusion of Cr and Fe toward SiC followed a downhill concentration gradient, very small amounts of Cr reached the SiC interface. The selective reactions of Si and C with Ni, Fe, and Cr are discussed on the basis of Gibbs free energy of formation of various compounds. The diffusion kinetics of C and Si atoms in selected metal/SiC reactions are discussed on the basis of their chemical affinities for respective metals. The modulation of carbon precipitation is correlated with previous results from Ni/SiC, Ni₃Al/SiC, Fe/SiC, Co/SiC, and Pt/SiC, reactions. A general model describing discontinuous decomposition of SiC is proposed to explain the origin of carbon modulation.     

Polybutylene terephthalate/high-density polyethylene alloys. I. Morphological studies

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is a commercially successful thermoplastic polyester but has certain drawbacks such as low impact strength and low melt strength. An attempt has been made to modify the properties of PBT by blending it with polyolefin such as highdensity polyethylene (HDPE). Since PBT and HDPE are incompatible, an ionomer has been used as a compatibilizer to form an alloy. Alloys of PBT and HDPE with varying amounts (2-8%) of ionomer were prepared by melt blending. The ultimate mechanical properties improved significantly on the addition of the ionomer due to an increase in interfacial adhesion between PBT and HDPE. DSC studies show that the presence of ionomer facilitated the crystallization of PBT in the alloy. DMTA studies show that more of PBT (amorphous) is going in to the HDPE-rich phase in the presence of ionomer. The morphology of the alloys was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polarizing microscopy (PM), and small-angle light scattering (SALS). They showed improved dispersion of HDPE domains in PBT matrix with increasing ionomer content and change in the type of superstructure on adding the ionomer. It has been shown that an alloy of PBT and HDPE with improved mechanical properties and homogeneous morphology can be made with use of ionomer as a compatibilizer. Such alloys are cost effective and can find use in several engineering applications.     

Cellulose triacetate membranes for seawater desalination

Experimental data on reverse osmosis using a sodium chloride solution by cellulose triacetate membranes are presented. The investigation involved studies on the composition of membrane casting solutions and their effects on the performance. A higher polymer concentration (11–13%) is found suitable for production of a uniform and highly salt rejecting membrane. Salt rejection of 99.0% and 4–5 GFD product water flux were obtained at 1000 psi operating pressure using 30,000 ppm TDS seawater in the initial experiments.