Abstract: Activated carbons (M4P0, M4P2, and M5P2) used in
this research were produced from palm shell and polyetherether
ketone (PEEK) via carbonization, impregnation and microwave
activation. The adsorption/desorption process was carried out using
static volumetric adsorption. Regeneration is important in the overall
economy of the process and waste minimization. This work focuses
on the thermal regeneration of the CO2 exhausted microwave
activated carbons. The regeneration strategy adopted was thermal
with nitrogen purge desorption with N2 feed flow rate of 20 ml/min
for 1 h at atmospheric pressure followed by drying at 150oC.Seven
successive adsorption/regeneration processes were carried out on the
material. It was found that after seven adsorption regeneration cycles;
the regeneration efficiency (RE) for CO2 activated carbon from palm
shell only (M4P0) was more than 90% while that of hybrid palm
shell-PEEK (M4P2, M5P2) was above 95%. The cyclic adsorption
and regeneration shows the stability of the adsorbent materials.
Abstract: Nowadays, it is a globalization era which social media
plays an important role to the lifestyle as an information source, tools
to connect people together and etc. This research is object to find out
about the significant level of the social media as a distribution
channel to the agriculture product of Thailand. In this research, the
agriculture product is the Rice Berry which is the cross-bred unmilled
rice producing dark violet grain, is a combination of Hom Nin Rice
and Thai Jasmine/ Fragrant Rice 105. Rice Berry has a very high
nutrition and nice aroma so the product is in the growth stage of the
product cycle. The problem for the Rice Berry product in Thailand is
the production and the distribution channel. This study is to confirm
that the social media is another option as the distribution channel for
the product which is not a mass production product. This will be the
role model for the other niche market product to select the
distribution channel.
Abstract: China is currently the world's largest producer and distributor of electric bicycle (e-bike). The increasing number of e-bikes on the road is accompanied by rising injuries and even deaths of e-bike drivers. Therefore, there is a growing need to improve the safety structure of e-bikes. This 3D frictionless contact analysis is a preliminary, but necessary work for further structural design improvement of an e-bike. The contact analysis between e-bike and the ground was carried out as follows: firstly, the Penalty method was illustrated and derived from the simplest spring-mass system. This is one of the most common methods to satisfy the frictionless contact case; secondly, ANSYS static analysis was carried out to verify finite element (FE) models with contact pair (without friction) between e-bike and the ground; finally, ANSYS transient analysis was used to obtain the data of the penetration p(u) of e-bike with respect to the ground. Results obtained from the simulation are as estimated by comparing with that from theoretical method. In the future, protective shell will be designed following the stability criteria and added to the frame of e-bike. Simulation of side falling of the improvedsafety structure of e-bike will be confirmed with experimental data.
Abstract: Standard processes, similar and limited production
lines, the production of high direct costs will be more accurate than
the use of parts of the traditional cost systems in the literature.
However, direct costs, overhead expenses, in turn, decrease the
burden of increasingly sophisticated production facilities, a situation
that led the researchers to look for the cost of traditional systems of
alternative techniques. Variety cost management approaches for
example Total quality management (TQM), just-in-time (JIT),
benchmarking, kaizen costing, targeting cost, life cycle costs (LLC),
activity-based costing (ABC) value engineering have been
introduced. Management and cost applications have changed over the
past decade and will continue to change. Modern cost systems can
provide relevant and accurate cost information. These methods
provide the decisions about customer, product and process
improvement. The aim of study is to describe and explain the
adoption and application of costing systems in SME. This purpose
reports on a survey conducted during 2014 small and medium sized
enterprises (SME) in Ankara. The survey results were evaluated
using SPSS18 package program.
Abstract: Micro-alloyed steel components are used in
automotive industry for the necessity to make the manufacturing
process cycles shorter when compared to conventional steel by
eliminating heat treatment cycles, so an important saving of costs and
energy can be reached by reducing the number of operations. Microalloying
elements like vanadium, niobium or titanium have been
added to medium carbon steels to achieve grain refinement with or
without precipitation strengthening along with uniform
microstructure throughout the matrix. Present study reports the
applicability of medium carbon vanadium micro-alloyed steel in hot
forging. Forgeability has been determined with respect to different
cooling rates, after forging in a hydraulic press at 50% diameter
reduction in temperature range of 900-11000C. Final microstructures,
hardness, tensile strength, and impact strength have been evaluated.
The friction coefficients of different lubricating conditions, viz.,
graphite in hydraulic oil, graphite in furnace oil, DF 150 (Graphite,
Water-Based) die lubricant and dry or without any lubrication were
obtained from the ring compression test for the above micro-alloyed
steel. Results of ring compression tests indicate that graphite in
hydraulic oil lubricant is preferred for free forging and dry lubricant
is preferred for die forging operation. Exceptionally good forgeability
and high resistance to fracture, especially for faster cooling rate has
been observed for fine equiaxed ferrite-pearlite grains, some amount
of bainite and fine precipitates of vanadium carbides and
carbonitrides. The results indicated that the cooling rate has a
remarkable effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties at
room temperature.
Abstract: Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is the most commonly used method for recovering energy from small sources of heat. The investigation of the ORC in supercritical condition is a new research area as it has a potential to generate high power and thermal efficiency in a waste heat recovery system. This paper presents a steady state ORC model in supercritical condition and its simulations with a real engine’s exhaust data. The key component of ORC, evaporator, is modelled using finite volume method, modelling of all other components of the waste heat recovery system such as pump, expander and condenser are also presented. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of mass flow rate and evaporator outlet temperature on the efficiency of the waste heat recovery process. Additionally, the necessity of maintaining an optimum evaporator outlet temperature is also investigated. Simulation results show that modification of mass flow rate is the key to changing the operating temperature at the evaporator outlet.
Abstract: Sustainability and eco-friendly requirement of
engineering materials are sort for in recent times, thus giving rise to
the development of bio-composites. However, the natural fibres to
matrix interface interactions remain a key issue in getting the desired
mechanical properties from such composites. Treatment of natural
fibres is essential in improving matrix to filler adhesion, hence
improving its mechanical properties. In this study, investigations
were carried out to determine the effect of sodium hydroxide
treatment on the tensile, flexural, impact and hardness properties of
crushed and uncrushed Luffa cylindrica fibre reinforced recycled low
density polyethylene composites. The LC (Luffa cylindrica) fibres
were treated with 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% wt. sodium
hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations for a period of 24 hours under
room temperature conditions. A formulation ratio of 80/20 g (matrix
to reinforcement) was maintained for all developed samples. Analysis
of the results showed that the uncrushed luffa fibre samples gave
better mechanical properties compared with the crushed luffa fibre
samples. The uncrushed luffa fibre composites had a maximum
tensile and flexural strength of 7.65 MPa and 17.08 Mpa respectively
corresponding to a young modulus and flexural modulus of 21.08
MPa and 232.22 MPa for the 8% and 4% wt. NaOH concentration
respectively. Results obtained in the research showed that NaOH
treatment with the 8% NaOH concentration improved the mechanical
properties of the LC fibre reinforced composites when compared with
other NaOH treatment concentration values.
Abstract: Many aluminum motorcycle parts produced by a high
pressure die casting. Some parts such as fuel caps were a thin and
complex shape. This part risked for porosities and blisters on surface
if it only depended on an experience of mold makers for mold design.
This research attempted to use CAST-DESIGNER software
simulated the high pressure die casting process with the same process
parameters of a motorcycle fuel cap production. The simulated results
were compared with fuel cap products and expressed the same
porosity and blister locations on cap surface. An average of absolute
difference of simulated results was obtained 0.094 mm when
compared the simulated porosity and blister defect sizes on the fuel
cap surfaces with the experimental micro photography. This
comparison confirmed an accuracy of software and will use the
setting parameters to improve fuel cap molds in the further work.
Abstract: This paper examines how “Zakat” provides fair
income redistribution and aids the struggle against poverty. Providing
fair income redistribution and combating poverty constitutes some of
the fundamental tasks performed by countries all over the world.
Each country seeks a solution for these problems according to their
political, economic and administrative styles through applying
various economic and financial policies. The same situation can be
handled via “zakat” association in Islam. Nowadays, we observe
different versions of “zakat” in developed countries. Applications
such as negative income tax denote merely a different form of
“zakat” that is being applied almost in the same way but under
changed names. However, the minimum values to donate under zakat
(e.g. 85 gr. gold and 40 animals) get altered and various amounts are
put into practice. It might be named as negative income tax instead of
zakat, nonetheless, these applications are based on the Holy Koran
and the hadith released 1400 years ago. Besides, considering the
savage and slavery in the world at those times, we might easily
recognize the true value of the zakat being applied for the first time
then in the Islamic system. Through zakat, governments are able to
transfer incomes to the poor as a means of enabling them achieve the
minimum standard of living required. With regards to who benefits
from the Zakat, an objective and fair criteria was used to determine
who benefits from the zakat contrary to the notion that it was based
on peoples’ own choices. Since the zakat is obligatory, the transfers
do not get forwarded directly but via the government and get
distributed, which requires vast governmental organizations. Through
the application of Zakat, reduced levels of poverty can be achieved
and also ensure the fair income redistribution.
Abstract: Verification and Validation of Simulated Process
Model is the most important phase of the simulator life cycle.
Evaluation of simulated process models based on Verification and
Validation techniques checks the closeness of each component model
(in a simulated network) with the real system/process with respect to
dynamic behaviour under steady state and transient conditions. The
process of Verification and Validation helps in qualifying the process
simulator for the intended purpose whether it is for providing
comprehensive training or design verification. In general, model
verification is carried out by comparison of simulated component
characteristics with the original requirement to ensure that each step
in the model development process completely incorporates all the
design requirements. Validation testing is performed by comparing
the simulated process parameters to the actual plant process
parameters either in standalone mode or integrated mode.
A Full Scope Replica Operator Training Simulator for PFBR -
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor has been developed at IGCAR,
Kalpakkam, INDIA named KALBR-SIM (Kalpakkam Breeder
Reactor Simulator) where in the main participants are
engineers/experts belonging to Modeling Team, Process Design and
Instrumentation & Control design team. This paper discusses about
the Verification and Validation process in general, the evaluation
procedure adopted for PFBR operator training Simulator, the
methodology followed for verifying the models, the reference
documents and standards used etc. It details out the importance of
internal validation by design experts, subsequent validation by
external agency consisting of experts from various fields, model
improvement by tuning based on expert’s comments, final
qualification of the simulator for the intended purpose and the
difficulties faced while co-coordinating various activities.
Abstract: Malaysia is rich with historic buildings, particularly in
Penang and Malacca states. Restoration activities are increasingly
important as these states are recognized under UNESCO World
Heritage Sites. Restoration activities help to maintain the uniqueness
and value of a heritage building. However, increasing in restoration
activities has resulted in large quantities of waste. To cope with this
problem, the 3R concept (reduce, reuse and recycle) is introduced.
The 3R concept is one of the waste management hierarchies. This
concept is still yet to apply in the building restoration industry
compared to the construction industry. Therefore, this study aims to
promote the 3R concept in the heritage building restoration industry.
This study aims to examine the importance of 3R concept and to
identify challenges in applying the 3R concept in the heritage
building restoration industry. This study focused on contractors and
consultants who are involved in heritage restoration projects in
Penang. Literature review and interviews helps to reach the research
objective. Data that obtained is analyzed by using content analysis.
For the research, application of 3R concept is important to conserve
natural resources and reduce pollution problems. However, limited
space to organise waste is the obstruction during the implementation
of this concept. In conclusion, the 3R concept plays an important role
in promoting environmental conservation and helping in reducing the
construction waste.
Abstract: The absorption power generation cycle based on the
ammonia-water mixture has attracted much attention for efficient
recovery of low-grade energy sources. In this paper a thermodynamic
performance analysis is carried out for a Kalina cycle using
ammonia-water mixture as a working fluid for efficient conversion of
low-temperature heat source in the form of sensible energy. The
effects of the source temperature on the system performance are
extensively investigated by using the thermodynamic models. The
results show that the source temperature as well as the ammonia mass
fraction affects greatly on the thermodynamic performance of the
cycle.
Abstract: In this paper a real-time obstacle avoidance approach
for both autonomous and non-autonomous dynamical systems (DS) is
presented. In this approach the original dynamics of the controller
which allow us to determine safety margin can be modulated.
Different common types of DS increase the robot’s reactiveness in
the face of uncertainty in the localization of the obstacle especially
when robot moves very fast in changeable complex environments.
The method is validated by simulation and influence of different
autonomous and non-autonomous DS such as important
characteristics of limit cycles and unstable DS. Furthermore, the
position of different obstacles in complex environment is explained.
Finally, the verification of avoidance trajectories is described through
different parameters such as safety factor.
Abstract: In and around Erode District, it is estimated that more
than 1250 chemical and allied textile processing fabric industries are
affected, partially closed and shut off for various reasons such as poor
management, poor supplier performance, lack of planning for
productivity, fluctuation of output, poor investment, waste analysis,
labor problems, capital/labor ratio, accumulation of stocks, poor
maintenance of resources, deficiencies in the quality of fabric, low
capacity utilization, age of plant and equipment, high investment and
input but low throughput, poor research and development, lack of
energy, workers’ fear of loss of jobs, work force mix and work ethic.
The main objective of this work is to analyze the existing conditions
in textile fabric sector, validate the break even of Total Productivity
(TP), analyze, design and implement fuzzy sets and mathematical
programming for improvement of productivity and quality
dimensions in the fabric processing industry. It needs to be
compatible with the reality of textile and fabric processing industries.
The highly risk events from productivity and quality dimension were
found by fuzzy systems and results are wrapped up among the textile
fabric processing industry.
Abstract: Given a graph G. A cycle of G is a sequence of
vertices of G such that the first and the last vertices are the same.
A hamiltonian cycle of G is a cycle containing all vertices of G.
The graph G is k-ordered (resp. k-ordered hamiltonian) if for any
sequence of k distinct vertices of G, there exists a cycle (resp.
hamiltonian cycle) in G containing these k vertices in the specified
order. Obviously, any cycle in a graph is 1-ordered, 2-ordered and 3-
ordered. Thus the study of any graph being k-ordered (resp. k-ordered
hamiltonian) always starts with k = 4. Most studies about this topic
work on graphs with no real applications. To our knowledge, the
chordal ring families were the first one utilized as the underlying
topology in interconnection networks and shown to be 4-ordered.
Furthermore, based on our computer experimental results, it was
conjectured that some of them are 4-ordered hamiltonian. In this
paper, we intend to give some possible directions in proving the
conjecture.
Abstract: Environmental impacts of six 3D printers using
various materials were compared to determine if material choice
drove sustainability, or if other factors such as machine type, machine
size, or machine utilization dominate. Cradle-to-grave life-cycle
assessments were performed, comparing a commercial-scale FDM
machine printing in ABS plastic, a desktop FDM machine printing in
ABS, a desktop FDM machine printing in PET and PLA plastics, a
polyjet machine printing in its proprietary polymer, an SLA machine
printing in its polymer, and an inkjet machine hacked to print in salt
and dextrose. All scenarios were scored using ReCiPe Endpoint H
methodology to combine multiple impact categories, comparing
environmental impacts per part made for several scenarios per
machine. Results showed that most printers’ ecological impacts were
dominated by electricity use, not materials, and the changes in
electricity use due to different plastics was not significant compared
to variation from one machine to another. Variation in machine idle
time determined impacts per part most strongly. However, material
impacts were quite important for the inkjet printer hacked to print in
salt: In its optimal scenario, it had up to 1/38th the impacts coreper
part as the worst-performing machine in the same scenario. If salt
parts were infused with epoxy to make them more physically robust,
then much of this advantage disappeared, and material impacts
actually dominated or equaled electricity use. Future studies should
also measure DMLS and SLS processes / materials.
Abstract: It is difficult to study the effect of various variables on
cycle fitting through actual experiment. To overcome such difficulty,
the forward dynamics of a musculoskeletal model was applied to cycle
fitting in this study. The measured EMG data weres compared with the
muscle activities of the musculoskeletal model through forward
dynamics. EMG data were measured from five cyclists who do not
have musculoskeletal diseases during three minutes pedaling with a
constant load (150 W) and cadence (90 RPM). The muscles used for
the analysis were the Vastus Lateralis (VL), Tibialis Anterior (TA),
Bicep Femoris (BF), and Gastrocnemius Medial (GM). Person’s
correlation coefficients of the muscle activity patterns, the peak timing
of the maximum muscle activities, and the total muscle activities were
calculated and compared. BIKE3D model of AnyBody (Anybodytech,
Denmark) was used for the musculoskeletal model simulation. The
comparisons of the actual experiments with the simulation results
showed significant correlations in the muscle activity patterns (VL:
0.789, TA: 0.503, BF: 0.468, GM: 0.670). The peak timings of the
maximum muscle activities were distributed at particular phases. The
total muscle activities were compared with the normalized muscle
activities, and the comparison showed about 10% difference in the VL
(+10%), TA (+9.7%), and BF (+10%), excluding the GM (+29.4%).
Thus, it can be concluded that muscle activities of model &
experiment showed similar results. The results of this study indicated
that it was possible to apply the simulation of further improved
musculoskeletal model to cycle fitting.
Abstract: Starting in 2020, an EU-wide CO2-limitation of
95 g/km is scheduled for the average of an OEMs passenger car fleet.
Taking that into consideration additional improvement measures of
the Diesel cycle are necessary in order to reduce fuel consumption
and emissions while boosting, or at the least, keeping performance
values at the same time.
The present article deals with the possibilities of an optimized
air/water charge air cooler, also called iCAC (indirect Charge Air
Cooler) for a Diesel passenger car amongst extreme-boundary
conditions. In this context, the precise objective was to show the
impact of improved intercooling with reference to the engine working
process (fuel consumption and NOx-emissions). Several extremeboundaries
- e.g. varying ambient temperatures or mountainous
routes - that will become very important in the near future regarding
RDE (Real Driving emissions) were subject of the investigation.
With the introduction of RDE in 2017 (EU6c measure), the
controversial NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) will belong to
the past and the OEMs will have to avoid harmful emissions in any
conceivable real life situation.
This is certainly going to lead to optimization-measurements at the
powertrain, which again is going to make the implementation of
iCACs, presently solely used for the premium class, more and more
attractive for compact class cars. The investigations showed a benefit
in FC between 1 and 3% for the iCAC in real world conditions.
Abstract: The recommended limit for cadmium concentration in
potable water is less than 0.005 mg/L. A continuous biosorption
process using indigenous red seaweed, Gracilaria corticata, was
performed to remove cadmium from the potable water. The process
was conducted under fixed conditions and the breakthrough curves
were achieved for three consecutive sorption-desorption cycles. A
modeling based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was employed
to fit the experimental breakthrough data. In addition, a simplified
semi empirical model, Thomas, was employed for this purpose. It
was found that ANN well described the experimental data (R2>0.99)
while the Thomas prediction were a bit less successful with R2>0.97.
The adjusted design parameters using the nonlinear form of Thomas
model was in a good agreement with the experimentally obtained
ones. The results approve the capability of ANN to predict the
cadmium concentration in potable water.
Abstract: The tomato is a very important crop, whose
cultivation in the Mediterranean basin is severely affected by the
phytoparasitic weed Phelipanche ramosa. The semiarid regions of
the world are considered the main areas where this parasitic weed is
established causing heavy infestation as it is able to produce high
numbers of seeds (up to 500,000 per plant), which remain viable for
extended period (more than 20 years). In this paper the results
obtained from eleven treatments in order to control this parasitic
weed including chemical, agronomic, biological and biotechnological
methods compared with the untreated test under two plowing depths
(30 and 50 cm) are reported. The split-plot design with 3 replicates
was adopted. In 2014 a trial was performed in Foggia province
(southern Italy) on processing tomato (cv Docet) grown in the field
infested by Phelipanche ramosa. Tomato seedlings were transplant
on May 5, on a clay-loam soil. During the growing cycle of the
tomato crop, at 56-78 and 92 days after transplantation, the number
of parasitic shoots emerged in each plot was detected. At tomato
harvesting, on August 18, the major quantity-quality yield parameters
were determined (marketable yield, mean weight, dry matter, pH,
soluble solids and color of fruits). All data were subjected to analysis
of variance (ANOVA) and the means were compared by Tukey's test.
Each treatment studied did not provide complete control against
Phelipanche ramosa. However, among the different methods tested,
some of them which Fusarium, gliphosate, radicon biostimulant and
Red Setter tomato cv (improved genotypes obtained by Tilling
technology) under deeper plowing (50 cm depth) proved to mitigate
the virulence of the Phelipanche ramose attacks. It is assumed that
these effects can be improved combining some of these treatments
each other, especially for a gradual and continuing reduction of the
“seed bank” of the parasite in the soil.