Energy and exergy analysis of a CI engine using tyre pyrolysis oil blends with diesel

Tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) blend with diesel can be used as an alternate fuel. Tests have been carried out to analyse the energy and exergy characteristics of diesel engine fuelled by B10, B20 and B30 blend of TPO with diesel fuel. TPO was derived from waste automobile tyres through vacuum pyrolysis process (batch type). In this paper, the brake thermal efficiencies of TPO of different blends (10%, 20% and 30%) are compared with the pure diesel and discussed. Further, exergy and energy values of TPO–diesel with different blends are analysed.     

Radiation and slip effects on MHD point flow of nanofluid towards a stretching sheet with melting heat transfer

In the present paper, the melting heat transfer of a nanofluid over a stretching sheet is investigated. Magnetohydrodynamic stagnation point flow with thermal radiation and slip effects is considered for this study. The governing model of the flow is solved by Runge–Kutta fourth-order method using appropriate similarity transformations. Temperature and velocity fields are presented for various flow pertinent parameters. Nondimensional physical parameters such as Prandtl number, radiation parameter, Brownian motion parameter, Lewis number, thermophoresis parameter, magnetic parameter, and melting parameter on fluid velocity, heat, concentration, skin friction, Sherwood number, and Nusselt number are presented graphically and discussed numerically. Heat transfer rate can be increased by increasing slip, melting, or radiation parameter. Mass transfer increases for greater values of melting parameter or slip parameter while radiation parameter shows the opposite impact on mass transfer.     

Nano Zinc Oxide-Loaded Calcium Alginate Films with Potential Antibacterial Properties

In this work, zinc oxide nanoparticles-loaded calcium alginate films were investigated for their moisture uptake behavior at different temperatures. The equilibrium uptake data was interpreted quantitatively by GAB isotherm models. The monolayer moisture contents were 0.301 ± 0.003, 0.0214 ± 0.092, and 0.171 ± 0.102 at 20, 30, and 37°C, respectively. The water vapor transmission rate was found to be 0.816 ± 0.143, 1.42 ± 0.045, and 1.632 ± 0.064 g s⁻¹ m⁻² respectively. For the moisture content range of 0.2 to 0.6, the net ∆H and ∆S values were found to be 22.73 to 11.14 KJ/mol and 0.064 to 0.034 KJ/mol/K, respectively. The moisture uptake of films increased with water activity but showed negative temperature dependence. The enthalpy of sorption (∆H) and differential entropy (∆S) were determined at different moisture content values, ranging from 0.2 to 0.6 g/g db. The two parameters showed a higher degree of correlation. The equilibrium moisture content data was used to evaluate harmonic mean temperature T _hm. Finally, the biocidal action of films was tested against model bacteria Escherichia coli.     

Influence of Fibre Orientation on Friction and Sliding Wear Behaviour of Jute Fibre Reinforced Polyester Composite

Jute fibre reinforced polyester composites were developed and characterized for friction and sliding wear properties. Effect of fibre orientation and applied load on tribological behaviour of jute fibre reinforced polyester composites were determined. It is found that wear resistance was maximum in TT sample, where fibres were normal to sliding direction. Wear rate under sliding mode follows this trend; W_TT < W_LT <W_LL LL sample showed higher capability to sustain the load whereas lowest wear resistance found in this case. The coefficient of friction found highest for TT sample and lowest for LT sample. The coefficient of friction decreased with increase of applied load. Worn surfaces were analysed and discussed with the help of SEM.     

Studies on Influence of Polymers and Excipients on Crystallization Behavior of Metformin HCl to Improve the Manufacturability

The aim of this work was to improve the mechanical properties of Metformin HCl by its recrystallization in the presence of different polymers and excipients using a wide range of polarity solvents. The recrystallized drug in the presence of lactose anhydrous (lactose) was further studied for its topographical, micromeritic, mechanical, compressional, solubility, and dissolution properties. Lactose-treated crystals were bigger in size with equidimentional shape. Crystals showed improvement in flow and packability with rich drug content (96.17%). Heckel parameters indicated greater plastic deformation (K = 0.474) and tensile strength compared to the pure drug (K = 0.137). Pellets prepared from crystals showed negligible elastic recovery (1.06%) compared to the pure drug (5.73%). Differential scanning calorimetry showed no degradation or polymorphic transformation of the drug even after stability studies (40°C, 75% RH). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy proved hydrogen bond generation between the drug and lactose with a stable nature. The amount of directly compressible diluents could be minimized in tablet formulation, which ultimately reduced the overall tablet mass. The study highlights an influence of lactose on morphology, leading to a modified performance of recrystallized Metformin HCl.     

Parallel Reaction Monitoring: A Targeted Experiment Performed Using High Resolution and High Mass Accuracy Mass Spectrometry

The parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) assay has emerged as an alternative method of targeted quantification. The PRM assay is performed in a high resolution and high mass accuracy mode on a mass spectrometer. This review presents the features that make PRM a highly specific and selective method for targeted quantification using quadrupole-Orbitrap hybrid instruments. In addition, this review discusses the label-based and label-free methods of quantification that can be performed with the targeted approach.     

Modeling of single and multilayer polyvinylidene fluoride film for micro pump actuation

Micro pumps are essential components of micro devices such as drug delivery systems. Large numbers of pumps have been proposed based on different actuating principles. Piezoelectric actuation offers advantages such as reliability and energy efficiency. Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) based piezoelectric actuation for micro pumps is predominantly explored despite its disadvantages such as brittle nature, low straining and difficulties in processing. Polymer piezoelectric materials like polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) could be promising replacements for PZT owing to their availability in form of films and good strain coefficients. Very limited literature on micro pump with PVDF as an actuator is available. In this paper, finite element analysis (FEA) model of a micro pump actuator using single and multilayer PVDF for actuation is developed in ANSYS^?. The model takes into account the influence of driving voltage and actuator geometry. The central deflection of the pump diaphragm which is instrumental in defining the pump performance is studied for driving voltages of 100?C200?V. The deflection of the pump diaphragm for single layer and multilayer actuation are determined from the model. It could be inferred from the initial part of the study that pump performance depends on driving voltage and actuator film thickness. In order to reduce driving voltage requirement multilayer stacked actuator is tried with four different configurations of the layers. It is concluded that stacking configuration of parallel energized straight polarity PVDF layers yielded best central deflection. An attempt is made to compare the performance of multilayer actuator with an equivalent single thick layer actuator. It is noticed that the multilayer actuator performance was better by about 101% when number of layers is doubled.     

Wind-driven stand-alone DFIG with battery and pumped hydro storage system

A wind-driven doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) along with the battery and pumped hydro storage plant (PHSP) has been devised for supplying isolated loads. PHSP-based storage system is economical and viable for the MW level wind-turbine system. The proposed scheme employs a squirrel-cage induction machine (SCIM) coupled with reversible pump turbine for PHSP. The battery storage is also included in this system to cope up with the intermittent nature of wind and fast-changing load. A simple control strategy has been implemented for maintaining the set values of voltage magnitude and frequency at the stator terminals of DFIG, which serve as a virtual grid for connecting ac loads and SCIM. Based on the availability of power in the wind, PHSP and battery, various operating modes of the proposed system have been clearly identified for supplying the isolated loads. These operating modes are clearly demonstrated through the analysis developed for this purpose and validated through experimental results. The salient features of the proposed system over the existing stand-alone wind-driven generators are (i) structural simplicity, i.e., employing only one power electronic converter, (ii) wide speed operation of wind-driven DFIG, (iii) reduced battery capacity, (iv) high energy storage using PHSP and (v) availability of continuous power to the isolated loads.