Experimental validation of PID based cascade control system through SCADA–PLC–OPC and internet architectures

The paper presents the experimental validation procedure of a simple cascade control system through number of architectures, such as SCADA, PLC, OPC and internet. The performance and effectiveness of individual architecture is evaluated on the basis of data rate, rise time, peak time and settling time. In this study, PID is implemented on Micrologix-1200 PLC and RSView-32 SCADA has been used with RSLinx communication software. The PLC–SCADA control loop is implemented with the functionalities such as, real time data analysis, set point modifications, automatic report generation and integration of data with MS-Excel and MS-Access. The enhancement in project data analysis is effectively done through the integration of PLC with Labview. The remote monitoring and control of process parameters is done using NET-ENI. The obtained result proved that the conventional SCADA based control system can be enhanced further more with PLC as well as NI-OPC server significantly.     

Synthesis,characterization of novel silicotungstic acid incorporated SPEEK/PVA-co-ethylene-based composite membranes for fuel cell

Sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) is prepared by the sulfonation of polyether ether ketone (PEEK). Five of the composite membranes (PSW1–PSW5) with various percentage compositions of the SPEEK, PVA-co-ethylene, and silicotungstic acid (SWA) were prepared. The prepared composite membranes were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Surface morphology of the composite membranes was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Other evaluations related to conductivities (ion exchange capacity, IEC), proton conductivity), absorptivity (water and methanol absorption), durability and mechanical properties (tensile strength and percentage elongation) were also evaluated for the composite membranes. Among the five composite membranes, composite membrane with higher SWA content, PSW5 (which has 10% SWA) showed more conductivity compared to other membranes. These composites also showed very good conductivities, mechanical properties, and durabilities. Hence, these composite membranes have the potential to be used in the development of newer proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).     

Optimization of the Cascade Feed Forward Back Propagation network for defect classification in ultrasonic images

Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) is now a well established NDE technique finding wide applications in the industry for inspection during manufacture, pre-service and also inservice. While conventionally interpretations of UT images are done by the inspector, a need has always been felt for automated evaluation and interpretation especially when large inspection volumes are involved. Apart from enhancing the speed of inspection, automated evaluation and interpretation provides better reliability of inspection. A number of approaches based on signal analysis coupled with artificial neural networks (ANN) are being tried internationally and limited success has also been obtained. This paper focuses on the development of a semi automatic toolbox for reliable and fast flaw classification in TOFD images using ANN. TOFD images are first acquired and statistical parameters such as mean, standard deviation, energy, skewness and kurtosis are calculated for the region of interest in the images. The classification of the flawed region like Crack, Lack of Fusion, Lack of Penetration, Porosity and Slag Inclusion was materialized using different ANN approaches which made use of these statistical parameters as their input. The process of optimization of a network involves comparison of classification accuracy and the sensitivity of the selected networks. The Cascade Feed Forward Back Propagation (CFBP) network with log sigmoidal activation function proved to be the optimized network model for the data set considered in this study.     

Morphological, mechanical, and electrical properties as a function of thermal bonding in electrospun nanocomposites

Poly lactic acid (PLA) was electrospun with various concentrations of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and thermal bonding was utilized as a post-processing treatment to improve the mechanical and electrical properties of the nanofibrous mats. Thermally bonded fiber-fiber junctions were observed with scanning electron microscopy. An increase in either the strength or modulus of the PLA mats both with and without MWNTs was observed; the maximum modulus and maximum strength occur at different treatment conditions. The electrical conductivity of the MWNT loaded mats showed significant improvement after treatment just below the composite melting point.     

Alterations in antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidative damage in alcoholic rat tissues: Protective role of Thespesia populnea

Recent advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of alcohol-induced hepato-renal injury and the development of new approaches to its treatment have been reported in various works. This study involves alcohol-induced oxidative stress linked to the metabolism of ethanol involving both mitochondrial and peroxisomal fractions of liver and kidney. Alcohol treatment resulted in the depletion of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) content, higher level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and lower levels of protein carbonyls (PC) causing malfunction of hepatic and renal tissues, when compared to control rats. Thespesia populnea (TP) leaf extracts, administered to chronic alcohol ingested rats, were envisaged to possess significant antioxidant defence properties and help in the recovery of tissues from alcohol-induced oxidative damage. The results showed that degenerative changes in hepatic and renal cells of alcoholic groups were minimized by the administration of TP leaf extracts as also revealed by histopathological examination. The current findings indicate that treatment with TP extracts reduces alcohol-induced oxidative stress, thereby protecting the hepatic and renal tissue from alcohol-induced damage.     

Novel quaternized polysulfone/ZrO2 composite membranes for solid alkaline fuel cell applications

A novel composite anion exchange membrane, zirconia incorporated quaternized polysulfone (designated as QPSU/ZrO₂), is prepared by solution casting method. The characteristic properties of the QPSU/ZrO₂ composite polymer membranes are investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The morphology of the composite membrane is observed by SEM and TEM studies. A study of an alkaline membrane fuel cell (AMFC) operating with hydroxide ion conducting membrane is reported. Evaluation of the fuel cell is performed using membrane electrode assemblies made up of carbon supported platinum (Vulcan XC-72) anode and platinum cathode catalysts and QPSU/ZrO₂ composite membrane. Experimental results indicate that the AMFC employing a cheap non-perflourinated (QPSU/ZrO₂) composite polymer membrane shows better electrochemical performance. The maximum power density observed is 250 mW/cm² for QPSU/10% ZrO₂ at 60 °C. The QPSU/ZrO₂ composite membrane constitutes a good candidate for alkaline membrane fuel cell applications.     

Discharge performance of Zn-air fuel cells under the influence of Carbopol 940 thickener

A dynamic research endeavor has been performed in this research study by constructing and operating an innovative flowing type anode (zinc gel) along with Carbopol 960 additives as thickener in a zinc-air fuel cell. This gel constituted of a mixture of Zn powder, thickener, and potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte, and it was fueled into the cell with a peristaltic pump. The flowing Zn anode allowed the reaction-produced water, carbonate, and zinc oxide (ZnO) to be discharged from the cell. Basic operating parameters of the fuel cell like the concentrations of the Zn powder, thickener, and electrolyte along with the number and grid density of the current collector grid, cell operation temperature, and air flow rate were all optimized for effective and enhanced fuel cell performance. It was determined based on voltage production along with current and energy density generation. The augmented experimental results were as follows; thickener concentration of 1 to 2 wt% was observed to be optimum above which the electrolyte acquired a solid state. The voltage production was stable at electrolyte concentrations of 60 to 65 wt% and Zn powder concentrations lower than 40 wt%, and concentrations greater than this resulted in reduced cell performance. The implementation of four current collector grids each with an opening density of 144 grid/cm² had efficiently amplified cell performance. The ideal cell temperature was determined to be 40°C, and maximum cell production was attained at an air flow rate of 2 m/s. Consequently, effective improvement and advancement in the processes and operational parameters were achieved in this zinc-air fuel cell with a state-of-the-art anode fuel. This will surely provide great opportunities for their applications in the future.     

Multifiller nanocomposites containing gadolinium oxide and bismuth nanoparticles with enhanced X-ray attenuation property

We report here the development of multifiller nanocomposite containing gadolinium oxide and bismuth nanofillers with enhanced X-ray attenuation property. The mass attenuation coefficient of the nanocomposite is found to be 5.26 (X-ray attenuation: 95%) and 2.22 cm²/g (X-ray attenuation: 71%), respectively, under dental and lung X-ray scan conditions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the interfacial interaction between Gd₂O₃ nanofillers and the polymer matrix through hydrogen bonding. Atomic force microscopy images of the nanocomposite show a smooth and uniform topography with an average surface roughness of ~19 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis confirms the thermal stability of the nanocomposite upto 384°C. The enhanced X-ray attenuation property of the nanocomposite is attributed to the good interfacial bonding, dual k-edge effect of nanofillers and their uniform distribution within the polymeric matrix. Therefore, this nanocomposite is a promising material for diagnostic X-ray shielding, especially as, thyroid collar, gonad shield, aprons, gloves, and so on.     

SARC: Search and rescue optimization-based coding scheme for channel fault tolerance in wireless networks

Wireless Networks - Energy efficiency in wireless network has received significant attention in the field of academia and industry. In additions, error correction and detection have become...