Gajendra Dixit

Mechanical properties of eco-friendly recycled polymer composites: a comparative study of theoretical and experimental results

This study discusses the influence of incorporation of natural fiber on the performance of recycled polypropylene composites. Composites consisting of polypropylene (PP) and sisal fiber were prepared through mixing and compression process, in various proportions. The surface modification of the fibers has been carried out, using various chemical treatments. Mechanical properties of the systems have been evaluated. A comparative study has been conducted between the theoretical as well as experimental results using various suitable models. The impact of treatment of the fibers on the thermal and flammability properties has also been investigated. The interfacial properties have been interpreted from scanning electron micrographs (SEM).

Erosive-Corrosive Wear of Aluminium-Silicon Matrix (AA336) and SiCp/TiB2p Ceramic Composites

This paper mainly reports a comparative study on the Erosion-Corrosion of aluminium silicon alloy (AA336) and its composites as AA336-7%SiC and AA336-7%TiB2 in Basic, acidic, marine atmosphere. Particulate Microstructure shows the hexagonal shape of TiB2 particles and irregular shape with edges for silicon carbide particles. Erosion-corrosion of aluminium alloy composites were performed at different erodent concentrations (40,60,80 weight percentage) and at a speed of 1000,1500 revolution/minute. It is marked by the study that composites show significantly improved wear resistance (less material loss) than alloy at all speeds and all concentrations except in basic medium. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) reveals Al-Si interface sites are the preferential site for corrosion attack. Addition of reinforcement particles reduces the metallic area for erodent attack hence composites shows less material loss than the alloy. Among composites Titanium diboride reinforced composite shows improve wear resistance irrespective of speed, slurry concentration and slurry medium. Erosion-corrosion found prominent mode of weight (wt) loss at 1000 rpm and at 1500 rpm abrasion-corrosion found a prominent mode of material removal. In case of basic medium material removal at 1000 rpm is more than 1500 rpm irrespective of material. Material removal in basic media is maximum and minimum in the marine medium.

Abrasive Wear Characteristics of Silicon Carbide Particle Reinforced Zinc Based Composite

Herein, abrasive wear characteristics of SiCp dispersed zinc-aluminum based composites have been analyzed under high-stress condition. The wear tests were conducted on a Pin-on-Disc machine at a constant linear velocity of 1.57 m/s in the applied load range of 1-7 N while the abrasive platform used is 600 grit emery paper. A matrix alloy was also characterized under identical conditions to assess the influence of the dispersoid (SiC) particle on the wear behaviour. Wear rate, frictional heating and friction coefficient are the focused parameters of the study. The base alloy used has a dendrite structure comprising of α-dendrites surrounded by an α + η eutectoid and metastable ε phase in interdendritic regions. The composite shows similar features to those of the base alloy except the additional presence of the reinforcing SiC particles. The wear rate and friction coefficient decrease with increase in abrading distance while a reverse trend was observed in the case of frictional heating which gradually increases with the increase in abrading distance. Incorporation of SiC particles improves the wear resistance of the matrix alloy and increasing the percentage of SiC increases the frictional heating and reduces the friction coefficient of the test material. The wear mechanism has been understood through SEM examination of wear surface, subsurface, debris particles and degraded abrasive grit papers.

Preparation of Bio-diesel from Jatropha Curcas Oil and Testing of Its Blends with Diesel on a CI Engine

Depletion of oil reserves because of its increased demand led to the search of substitute fuels that had to be environmentally friendly, energy efficient as well as frugal. This is where biodiesel plays an important role. Out of the several other crude oils we chose jatropha because being nontoxic, it delivers a high oil content in its category i.e. non-edible, one of the major limitations of the globe, having such a population increase. Out of several catalysts with their concentration ranges, a number of experiments were accomplished for the suitable catalyst with its optimized concentration and several other reaction parameters for a two-step transesterification process were fixed. The blends of jatropha methyl ester and diesel blended in different volumetric ratios and was analysed with diesel fuel by testing on a single cylinder 4-stroke Kirloskar CI Engine. Engine parameters and emission characteristics were obtained using software Engine Test Express V5.0 by Legion Brothers and AVL DITEST 1000 XDS Gas Analyser respectively. As the fuel was tested on the engine, blends of biodiesel gave better outcomes in terms of exhaust emission and several engine parameters. The decrement in the brake specific fuel consumption was noted while at that position was an appreciable increase in terms of indicated power, mechanical efficiency, heat dissipated rate etc. as compared with diesel fuel. In terms of emissions, HC and CO emissions are found to be similar with a minor increase in NOx emissions as compared to diesel. Fuel properties and results obtained from diesel engine showed that B20 blend of jatropha methyl ester in diesel can be an alternative for diesel fuel without changing the engine setup. Good quality at a low price is difficult, but the most desired combination seems to be achieved by the results obtained.

Physiochemical properties of oiljfwpb, recovered by the oxidative thermal degradation of the mixture of hdpe, ldpe and jute fiber

The OilJFWPB was recovered by the oxidative thermal degradation of the mixture of HDPE, LDPE and Jute fiber. According to the GC/MS analysis, it was reported that chemically OilJFWPB consisted of a phytol, two saturated fatty acids, two unsaturated fatty acids and two silica containing derivatives. Five blends of OilJFWPB were prepared with Diesel (Reference fuel) and the basic physiochemical fuel properties such as Density, Viscosity, Kinematic Viscosity, Flash Point, Fire Point, Cloud Point, Pour Point and Calorific Value were determined by using ASTM methods.

Non Conventional Fuel Resources in Rural India

In India there is a shortage of energy resources. The conventional sources are incapable to mitigate this problem by providing sufficient amount of energy. The crisis is gradually becoming more acute particularly in the countryside thus hampering the economic growth. To deal with this problem some new strategies have been envisaged. Generation of energy to meet daily requirement from non-conventional sources is one of the steps in this regard. With the increasing popularity of biogas plants in rural as well as in urban areas of India, it has become essential to find various location specific organic substances that can be used as feed material in biogas plant. In this study we have concentrated on use of cow dung and water hyacinth as feed material in biogas plants. The objective of the study is to assess the suitability of using mixture of cow dung and water hyacinth as feed material in biogas plants. Attempt has been made to find out the optimum proportion of cow dung and water hyacinth. The 1:1 mixture of cow dung and water hyacinth is the optimum proportion as per the study conducted.