Flow and temperature patterns in an inductively coupled plasma reactor: Experimental measurements and CFD simulations

Measurements of temperature patterns in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) have been carried out experimentally. Plasma torch was operated at different RF powers in the range of 3–14 kW at near atmospheric pressure and over a wide range of sheath gas flow rate (3–25 lpm). Measurements were made at five different axial positions in ICP torch. The chordal intensities were converted into a radial intensity profile by Abel Inversion technique. Typical radial temperature profile shows an off‐axis temperature peak, which shifts toward the wall as the power increases. Temperatures in the range of 6000–14,000 K were recorded by this method. The temperature profiles in the plasma reactor were simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A good agreement was found between the CFD predictions of the flow and temperature pattern with those published in the literature as well as the temperature profiles measured in the present work. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3647–3664, 2014     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Imidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazole‐Linked Oxindoles as Potent Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitors

A series of imidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazole‐linked oxindoles composed of an A, B, C and D ring system were synthesized and investigated for anti‐proliferative activity in various human cancer cell lines; test compounds were variously substituted at rings C and D. Among them, compounds 7 ((E)‐5‐fluoro‐3‐((6‐p‐tolyl‐2‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)‐imidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazol‐5‐yl)methylene)indolin‐2‐one), 11 ((E)‐3‐((6‐p‐tolyl‐2‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)imidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazol‐5‐yl)methylene)indolin‐2‐one), and 15 ((E)‐6‐chloro‐3‐((6‐phenyl‐2‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)imidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazol‐5‐yl)methylene)indolin‐2‐one) exhibited potent anti‐proliferative activity. Treatment with these three compounds resulted in accumulation of cells in G₂/M phase, inhibition of tubulin assembly, and increased cyclin‐B1 protein levels. Compound 7 displayed potent cytotoxicity, with an IC₅₀ range of 1.1–1.6 μM , and inhibited tubulin polymerization with an IC₅₀ value (0.15 μM ) lower than that of combretastatin A‐4 (1.16 μM ). Docking studies reveal that compounds 7 and 11 bind with αAsn101, βThr179, and βCys241 in the colchicine binding site of tubulin.     

Electrophoretic Deposition of Zirconia Thin Film on Nonconducting Substrate for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Application

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of 8 mol% yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte thin film has been carried out onto nonconducting porous NiO‐YSZ cermet anode substrate using a fugitive and electrically conducting polymer interlayer for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) application. Such polymer interlayer burnt out during the high‐temperature sintering process (1400°C for 6 h) leaving behind a well adhered, dense, and uniform ceramic YSZ electrolyte film on the top of the porous anode substrate. The EPD kinetics have been studied in depth. It is found that homogeneous and uniform film could be obtained onto the polymer‐coated substrate at an applied voltage of 15 V for 1 min. After the half‐cell (anode + electrolyte) is co‐fired at 1400°C, a suitable cathode composition (La_0.65Sr_0.3MnO₃) thick film paste is screen printed on the top of the sintered YSZ electrolyte. A second stage of sintering of such cathode thick film at 1100°C for 2 h finally yield a single cell SOFC. Such single cell produced a power output of 0.91 W/cm² at 0.7 V when measured at 800°C using hydrogen and oxygen as fuel and oxidant, respectively.     

Hard turning: Parametric optimization using genetic algorithm for rough/finish machining and study of surface morphology

The present study reports the effect of different process parameters on machining forces, surface roughness, dimensional deviation and material removal rate during hard turning of EN31, SAE8620 and EN9 tool steels. Feed rate followed by hardness, cutting speed and nose radius-depth of cut significantly affected machining forces whereas feed rate had the largest effect on surface roughness. The four responses were subsequently optimized for both rough and finish machining using genetic algorithm to determine the optimum combination of input parameters. Machined surfaces were subsequently analyzed using XRD followed by analysis of grain size and crystallite size of the machined samples and SEM analysis. Higher chromium content was observed at the machined surface as manganese dissolves in cementite and may replace iron atoms in the cementite lattice after machining. High heat is generated when machining at higher cutting speeds causing severe strain. The depth of the white layer decreases with increasing tool nose radius and increases at larger feeds because of greater heat generation. The SEM observations showed a smooth pattern with very low undulations with almost no crack damage.     

Cu-water nanofluid flow and heat transfer over a shrinking sheet

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - The influence of an external magnetic field and thermal radiation on Cu-water nanofluid flow and heat transfer over a shrinking sheet with slip...     

Improved energy recovery from dark fermented cane molasses using microbial fuel cells

A major limitation associated with fermentative hydrogen production is the low substrate conversion efficiency. This limitation can be overcome by integrating the process with a microbial fuel cell (MFC) which converts the residual energy of the substrate to electricity. Studies were carried out to check the feasibility of this integration. Biohydrogen was produced from the fermentation of cane molasses in both batch and continuous modes. A maximum yield of about 8.23 mol H₂/kg COD_removed was observed in the batch process compared to 11.6 mol H₂/kg COD_removed in the continuous process. The spent fermentation media was then used as a substrate in an MFC for electricity generation. The MFC parameters such as the initial anolyte pH, the substrate concentration and the effect of pre-treatment were studied and optimized to maximize coulombic efficiency. Reductions in COD and total carbohydrates were about 85% and 88% respectively. A power output of 3.02 W/m³ was obtained with an anolyte pH of 7.5 using alkali pre-treated spent media. The results show that integrating a MFC with dark fermentation is a promising way to utilize the substrate energy.     

Gas holdup in tapered bubble column using pseudoplastic non-Newtonian liquids

Experimental studies on the gas holdup in two tapered bubble columns using non-Newtonian pseudoplastic liquid have been reported. The effects of different variables such as gas flow rate, liquid viscosity, bed height, and orifice diameter of sieve plate on gas holdup have been investigated. An empirical correlation has been developed for the prediction of the gas holdup as a function of various measurable parameters of the system. The correlation is statistically acceptable.     

Experimental study of microstructure,mechanical and tribological properties of cBN particulates SS316 alloy based MMCs fabricated by DMLS technique

Direct metal laser sintering process (DMLS) was chosen to develop cBN particulates reinforced SS316 based Metal matrix composite (MMC) with 5 %, 7.5 % and 10 % cBN in the nitrogen gas atmosphere using continuous wave fibre laser of 400 W output capacity. Effects of process parameters such as laser power, beam scanning speed and the mixing ratio of powder on different physical properties of the developed MMC were investigated. It was found that the physical and mechanical properties such as friction and wear behavior, micro hardness and density come up with improved results. FESEM images indicate the microstructure of the composite and evidently confirms the presence of cubic boron nitride in the SS316 matrix where chromium nitride acted as a binder in the presence of nitrogen atmosphere. The Vickers hardness values of the developed MMCs with laser power 60 W and 65 W were found in the range of 276-478 HV_0.2 and 297-460 HV_0.2, respectively. It was found that Vickers hardness is directly proportional to the % of cBN in the powder mixture and the laser beam power. The wear resistance of the sintered MMCs increased with increasing cBN content in powder mixture and results show that wear of MMCs are much lower than that of SS316. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the fabricated MMC confirms the presence of different phases such as cBN, CrN, CrB₂, Cr₂N and Fe₃N as a consequence of a series of chemical reaction between cBN and different elements of SS316 in nitrogen atmosphere.