Drop Calorimetry Studies on 9Cr–1W–0.23V–0.06Ta–0.09C Reduced Activation Steel

The temperature dependence of enthalpy increment (H _T − H ₂₉₈) of 9 mass% Cr–1 mass% W–0.23 mass% V–0.06 mass% Ta–0.09 mass% C reduced activation steel has been measured by inverse drop calorimetry in the temperature range 400 K to 1273 K. A critical comparison of present isothermal enthalpy measurements with the results of our previous dynamic calorimetry studies has been made to reveal clearly the occurrence of various diffusional phase transformations that occur at high temperature. These phase changes are marked by the presence of distinct inflections or cusps in an overall nonlinear variation of enthalpy values with temperature. The principal thermal relaxation step of the martensitic microstructure obtained through quenching from the high-temperature γ-austenite phase is observed around 793 K. The ferromagnetic-to-paramagnetic transition of the α-ferrite phase is found to occur at 1015 K. The equilibrium values of γ-austenite start (Ae ₁) and finish (Ae ₃) temperatures are found to be 1063 K and 1148 K, respectively. A value of 12 J · g⁻¹ has been estimated for Δ°H ^α→γ the latent heat associated with the α → γ transformation. The measured enthalpy increment variation of the α-ferrite phase with temperature has been fitted to a suitable empirical function to estimate the temperature-dependent values of the specific heat. A comparison of the drop calorimetry-based indirect estimate of the specific heat with the direct differential scanning calorimetry-based values revealed that the drop calorimetry estimates are systematically lower than its dynamic calorimetry counterpart. This difference is attributed to the fact that, under finite heating rate conditions that are typical of dynamic calorimetry, measurements are made under nonequilibrium conditions. Notwithstanding this limitation, there is a good overall agreement between the two C _p values and also among the phase transformation temperatures so that a reliable assessment of thermal properties and phase transformation characteristics of reduced activation steel can be determined by a combined analysis of the results of drop and differential scanning calorimetry.     

Synthesis and spectroscopy of transparent colloidal solution of Gd2O3: Er3+, Yb3+ spherical nanocrystals by pulsed laser ablation

The synthesis and the spectroscopy of upconverting nanocolloidal solutions have recently generated considerable interest due to their potential application as biolevels and in biological assays. This paper reports the synthesis of lanthanides doped transparent colloidal solution via pulsed laser ablation (PLA) which is highly fluorescing. Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ co-doped Gd₂O₃ phosphor has been laser ablated to synthesize the colloidal solution in triply distilled water. Spherical shaped nanoparticles of the average diameter in the range of 8–26 nm have been synthesized and characterized. Efficient multicolor upconversion (UC) emission has been observed and possible UC mechanism has been suggested. This approach will provide a method to synthesize highly UC efficient, non-agglomerated, pure transparent nanocolloidal solution for biological applications from already reported efficient phosphors.     

CTAB-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of single-crystalline copper-doped ZnO nanorods and investigation of their photoluminescence properties

A simple CTAB-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of undoped and copper-doped ZnO nanorods is reported. The phase and structural analysis carried out by X-ray diffraction, shows the formation of hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO. Morphology of the ZnO nanorods was investigated by electron microscopy techniques which showed the formation of well dispersed regular shape ZnO nanorods of 100 ± 10 nm in diameter and 900 ± 100 nm in length. However, size of the copper doped ZnO nanorod slightly increased with increasing copper concentration. Furthermore, the selected area electron diffraction pattern and high resolution transmission electron microscopy reveal that both the undoped and copper doped ZnO nanorods were single crystalline in nature and preferentially grew up along [0001] direction. Optical property was investigated by photoluminescence spectroscopy. The effects of copper doping on the photoluminescence property of ZnO nanorods were investigated.     

Finite element method based machining simulation environment for analyzing part errors induced during milling of thin-walled components

The rigid body motion of the workpieces and their elastic–plastic deformations induced during high speed milling of thin-walled parts are the main root causes of part geometrical and dimensional variabilities; these are governed mainly from the choice of process plan parameters such as fixture layout design, operation sequence, selected tool path strategies and the values of cutting variables. Therefore, it becomes necessary to judge the validity of a given process plan before going into actual machining. This paper presents an overview of a comprehensive finite element method (FEM) based milling process plan verification model and associated tools, which by considering the effects of fixturing, operation sequence, tool path and cutting parameters simulates the milling process in a transient 3D virtual environment and predicts the part thin wall deflections and elastic–plastic deformations during machining. The advantages of the proposed model over previous works are: (i) Performs a computationally efficient transient thermo-mechanical coupled field milling simulation of complex prismatic parts comprising any combination of machining features like steps, slots, pockets, nested features, etc., using a feature based milling simulation approach; (ii) Predicts the workpiece non-linear behavior during machining due to its changing geometry, inelastic material properties and fixture–workpiece flexible contacts; (iii) Allows the modelling of the effects of initial residual stresses (residing inside the raw stock) on part deformations; (iv) Incorporates an integrated analytical machining load (cutting force components and average shear plane temperature) model; and (v) Provides a seamless interface to import an automatic programming tool file (APT file) generated by CAM packages like CATIA V5. The prediction accuracy of the model was validated experimentally and the obtained numerical and experimental results were found in good agreement.     

Influence of sludge disintegration by high pressure homogenizer on microbial growth in sewage sludge: an approach for excess sludge reduction

Excess sludge treatment and disposal is currently a challenge in wastewater treatment plant due to socio-economic and environmental regulation factors. Therefore, it is necessary to explore and develop technology for reduction of excess sludge in wastewater treatment plants rather than treating the generated sludge. This paper discusses technologies for excess sludge growth reduction using high pressure homogenizer treatment which causes cell lysis. The cell lysis and the microbial cellular maintenance energy requirement increases as a result of applied stress. This causes the energy required for non-growth reactions to increase with simultaneous increase in substrate conversion into carbon dioxide rather than microbial cell multiplication.     

CO2 emissions structure of Indian economy

This paper analyses carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of the Indian economy by producing sectors and due to household final consumption. The analysis is based on an Input–Output (IO) table and Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) for the year 2003–04 that distinguishes 25 sectors and 10 household classes. Total emissions of the Indian economy in 2003–04 are estimated to be 1217 million tons (MT) of CO₂, of which 57% is due to the use of coal and lignite. The per capita emissions turn out to be about 1.14 tons. The highest direct emissions are due to electricity sector followed by manufacturing, steel and road transportation. Final demands for construction and manufacturing sectors account for the highest emissions considering both direct and indirect emissions as the outputs from almost all the energy-intensive sectors go into the production process of these two sectors. In terms of life style differences across income classes, the urban top 10% accounts for emissions of 3416 kg per year while rural bottom 10% class accounts for only 141 kg per year. The CO₂ emission embodied in the consumption basket of top 10% of the population in urban India is one-sixth of the per capita emission generated in the US.     

Structural changes in S&T research in India

Before India became an independent country, its scientists and policy makers could foreseethe importance of science in its development, and accordingly a number of research anddevelopment (R&D) institutions were established. However during these five decades ofindependence, the choice between basic sciences and technology was always a subject of debate.It will be appropriate now to examine the changing patterns of Science and Technology (S&T)manpower growth to find out the ground truth reality. The present study pertains to the analysis ofS&T outturn data in various fields of scientific research that can provide a base for S&T planningand policy making. These S&T indicators will be helpful in estimating future requirements, whichin turn can be useful to a great extent in science and technology policy formulation. Theseestimates and future projections are based on mathematical modelling of the data pertaining to theoutturn of highly qualified Scientific and Technical (S&T) personnel in India from differentfaculties over the period 1990-1998. From the trend analysis it is evident that research is no moreperceived as an interesting career except in the field of engineering and medicine. The findingsfurther suggest that there is a noticeable shift from basic sciences to technology.     

On the predictability of the water-table variation in a ditch-drainage system

The irrigation in regions of brackish groundwater in many parts of the world results in the rise of the water-table very close to the groundsurface. The salinity of the productive soils is therefore increased. A proper layout of the ditch-drainage system and the prediction of the spatio-temporal variation of the water table under such conditions are of crucial importance in order to control the undesirable growth of the water-table. In this paper, an approximate solution of the nonlinear Boussinesq equation has been derived to describe the water-table variations in a ditch-drainage system with a random initial condition and transient recharge. The applications of the solution is discussed with the help of a synthetic example.Notations a lower value of the random variable representing the initial water-table height at the groundwater divide - a+b upper value of the random variable representing the initial water-table height at the groundwater divide - h variable water-table height measured from the base of the aquifer - K hydraulic conductivity - L half width between ditches - m ₀ initial water-table height at the groundwater divide - N(t) rate of transient recharge at time t - N ₀ initial rate of transient recharge - P N ₀/K - S Specific yield - t time of observation - t ₀ logarithmic decrement of the recharge function - T Kt/SL - x distance measured from the ditch boundary - X x/L - Y h/L - Y mean of Y - Y Variance of Y     

On the prediction of groundwater mound formation due to transient recharge from a rectangular area

Recharge to the aquifer leads to the growth of a groundwater mound. Therefore, for the proper management of an aquifer system, an accurate prediction of the spatio-temporal variation of the water table is very essential. In this paper, a problem of groundwater mound formation in response to a transient recharge from a rectangular area is investigated. An approximate analytical solution has been developed to predict the transient evolution of the water table. Application of the solution and its sensitivity to the variation of the recharge rate have been illustrated with the help of a numerical example.Notations a = Kh/e [L²/T] - A = aquifer's extent in the x-direction [L] - B = aquifer's extent in the y-direction [L] - e = effective porosity - h = variable water table height [L] - h ₀= initial water table height [L] - h = weighted mean of the depth of saturation [L] - K = hydraulic conductivity [L] - m, n = integers - P = constant rate of recharge [L/T] - P ₁+P₀= initial rate of transient recharge [L/T] - P ₁= final rate of transient recharge [L/T] - s = h ²–h ₀ ² [L²] - t = time of observation [T] - x,y = space coordinates - x ₂–x₁= length of recharge area in x-direction [L] - y ₂–y₁= width of recharge area in y-direction [L] - z = decay constant [T^-1]     

Recursive Technique For Computing System Reliability

This paper presents a simple recursive formula for calculating source-to-sink congestion, and hence reliability, in a network. This congestion is derived from individual blocking probabilities of each link. The method has an advantage of not requiring cut-sets. Such a knowledge is a prerequisite in most other methods of reliability analysis. We have programmed the algorithm using Pascal as it allows recursive procedure calls. An example illustrates the method.