Synthesis of submicron size silver powder for passive components application

Submicron silver powder was prepared from AgNO₃ by a chemical reduction method in the presence of a mixture of caprylic acid and triethanolamine as a surfactant. Hydrazine hydrate (N₂H₄·H₂O) is preferred as a reducing agent. A spherical silver powder with an average particle size of about 150 nm was achieved. Effort was also made to correlate the crystal structure and microstructure evolution of the prepared powders with the resultant thick film characteristics.     

Dielectric behaviour of MgFe2O4 prepared from chemically beneficiated iron ore rejects

Chemically beneficiated high silica/alumina iron ore rejects (27–76% Fe₂O₃) were used to synthesize iron oxides of purity 96–98% with SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio reduced to 0.03. The major impurities on chemical beneficiations were Al, Si, and Mn in the range 2–3%. A 99.73% purity Fe₂O₃ was also prepared by solvent extraction method using methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) from the acid extracts of the ore rejects. The magnesium ferrite, MgFe₂O₄, prepared from these synthetic iron oxides showed high resistivity of ∼ 10⁸ ohm cm. All ferrites showed saturation magnetization, 4πM_s, in the narrow range of 900–1200 Gauss and the Curie temperature,T, _cof all these fell within a small limit of 670 ± 30 K. All ferrites had low dielectric constants (ε′), 12–15, and low dielectric loss, tan δ, which decreased with the increase in frequency indicating a normal dielectric dispersion found in ferrites. The presence of insignificant amount of polarizable Fe²⁺ ions can be attributed to their high resistances and low dielectric constants. Impurities inherent in the samples had no marked influence on the electrical properties of the ferrites prepared from the iron ore rejects, suggesting the possibility of formation of ferrite of constant composition, MgFe₂O₄, of low magnetic and dielectric losses at lower temperatures of 1000°C by ceramic technique.     

A novel approach of reference current generation for power quality improvement in three-phase, three-wire distribution system using DSTATCOM

This paper presents a novel approach based on an improved instantaneous active and reactive current component theory for generating reference currents for distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM). Three-phase reference current waveforms generated by proposed scheme are tracked by the three-phase voltage source converter in a hysteresis band control scheme. The performance of the DSTATCOM using the proposed control strategy has been evaluated under various source and load conditions. The performance of the proposed control strategy has been evaluated in terms of load balancing, reactive power compensation, compensator rating and harmonic mitigation. A three-phase, three-wire distribution system supplying star connected linear as well as non-linear unbalanced load is considered for simulation study. The detailed simulation results using MATLAB/SIMULINK software are presented to support the feasibility of proposed control strategy.     

Optimal monolithic configuration for heat integrated ethanol steam reformer

A design concept for optimal design of monolith catalyst is presented through modeling of transport–kinetic interactions in a monolith catalyst. We argue that reactors employing monolithic catalysts should be based on its optimal choice of geometry. In line with that argument, we present a thorough analysis of the geometrical parameters influencing the performance of non-isothermal reactor operation. In this study, an optimal monolith configuration is estimated to be a combination (d_h, t_w) of (0.9 mm, 0.2 mm) for a compact ethanol reformer to produce hydrogen for portable applications where maximum volumetric reactor activity exists. A three-dimensional modeling framework is developed for the resulting optimal monolithic catalyst design that couples the reforming section with a suitable heat source in a recuperative way. As a result, greater ethanol conversion is obtained from the monolith channels near the periphery of the block. The coupling with combustion could predict the formation of cold and hot spots inside the reactor, their nature being dependent on the flow configuration. Further, the effect of altering the feed inlet operating conditions over the variation of ethanol conversion and temperature inside the reactor is also analyzed. The increase in reforming inlet velocity decreases the outlet conversion and shifts the cold spot, forward and deeper in co-flow configuration. The decreasing inlet feed temperature enhances the transfer of heat, eliminating the cold spot.     

An observer‐metamerism sensitivity index for electronic displays

The effect of observer metamerism induced by electronic displays depends to a large extent on their primary spectra (red, green, and blue in the most common case). In particular, for narrow‐band primary spectra whose peak wavelength lies in the range of high variability of the observer's color‐matching function, some observers can experience very large differences between actual surface colors (e.g. in a light booth) and displayed colors if the monitor is optimized for the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) 1931 standard observer. However, because narrow‐band light‐emitting diodes lead to larger color gamuts, more and more monitors with very narrow band primaries are coming onto the market without manufacturers taking into account the associated problem of observer variations. Being able to measure these variations accurately and efficiently is therefore an important objective. In this paper, we propose a new approach to predict the extent of observer metamerism for a particular multiprimary display. Unlike existing dedicated models, ours does not depend on a reference illuminant and a set of reflectance spectra and is computationally more efficient.     

Non-monotonic lattice parameter variation with crystallite size in nanocrystalline solids

An anomalous dependence of the lattice parameter on the crystallite size of nanocrystalline ball-milled powders of metals was observed: lattice contraction followed by lattice expansion with decreasing crystallite size. These data were determined by application of detailed X-ray diffraction measurements. To this end the lattice parameters of the metals investigated – nickel, copper, iron and tungsten – were precisely determined by correcting for influences of stacking faults, in the face-centred cubic metals, as well as by correcting for instrument-related aberrations. The non-monotonic variation of the lattice constant was interpreted as the result of two competing mechanisms: interface-stress-induced contraction vs. expansion as a result of the stress field generated at the crystallite boundary due to the increased excess free volume in the crystallite boundary upon decreasing crystallite size.     

Hydrazine method of synthesis of γ-Fe2O3 useful in ferrites preparation. Part III – study of hydrogen iron oxide phase in γ-Fe2O3

Direct current electrical conductivity () measurements as a function of temperature have been carried out on -Fe₂O₃ prepared from precursors, iron (II) carboxylatohydrazinates, -FeOOH and hydrazinated -FeOOH. The conductivity variation obeys an Arrhenius equation, _I = \_oe^- E / kT and the plots of log versus 1/T of the as prepared -Fe₂O₃, which are in general linear, during the very first heating up to 350°C and cooling to room temperature (RT) do not overlap. This indicates a hysteresis behavior of conductivity, thereby suggesting involvement of two different conductivity mechanisms. When the heat treated sample was equilibrated in a known partial pressure of moisture at 200°C and then conductivity measured from RT, the log plots during heating and cooling did not overlap and a hysteresis behavior similar to the as prepared -Fe₂O₃ is observed again in the conductivity. Water is considered to be crucial during the synthesis of -Fe₂O₃ through magnetite, Fe₃O₄. Protons, H⁺, are thought to be introduced in the spinel Fe₃O₄ making it defective and the oxidation product of this is -Fe₂O₃ which retains few protons in its spinel structure. From the structural similarity of such proton incorporated -Fe₂O₃ and lithium ferrite, LiFe₅O₈, (Fe³⁺)₈ [Fe³⁺ ₁₂ Li¹⁺ ₄]O₃₂, a formula HFe₅O₈, (Fe³⁺)₈ [Fe³+₁₂H¹+₄]O₃₂ is suggested. A hydrogen iron oxide of formula H_1-xFe_5+x3O₈, where x 0.1 is probably formed as a maximum limit. Protons are removed during the very first heating of the as prepared sample in the present studies and hence the conductivity of proton free -Fe₂O₃ is different and therefore a hysteresis behavior is observed. Moisture equilibration reintroduces the protons. The lithiated samples in the present studies were found to substitute for protons in -Fe₂O₃ and no hysteresis behavior is observed in such samples even after moisture equilibration.     

New strategies for the Hofmann reaction

Some new strategies, such as the use of hydrotropes, surfactants, co-solvent, etc., were applied to the Hofmann reaction of fatty amides to obtain isocyanates, amines and carbamates. Additionally, some industrially important aromatic amines were synthesised.     

Solid Circulation Rate in Recirculating Fluidized Bed

Recirculating fluidized bed (RCFB) is a spouted bed with a draft tube at the center. This is used for a variety of operations such as incineration, coal and heavy crude oil gasification, grain drying, blending and mixing, etc. Solid circulation rate is an important parameter for any circulation system, and it describes the efficiency of operation. Mathematical models do not always predict the circulation rates accurately. Hence, there is a need to measure the circulation rates directly. Most of the methods (for direct measurement) reported are either costly, involving high expertise and sophisticated equipment, or time consuming. A butterfly valve arrangement can measure the solid circulation rate accurately and quickly. It is sturdy, and the cost/expertise involvement is the bare minimum. Solid circulation rates measured directly using the butterfly valve arrangement are compared with the solid circulation rates computed based on the particle velocity and the operating voidage in the downcomer bed. Solid circulation rates measured directly are in close comparison (mostly within a deviation of 10%) with the computed circulation rates.