Papers by Author: A.K. Jha

Abstract: In the present paper results of investigations on addition of cobalt oxide in the Fe-Al2O3 Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) synthesized via Powder Metallurgy (P/M) technique on phase, microstructure and mechanical characteristics are reported. X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, density, hardness and wear measurement were used for characterization. XRD and SEM reveal that addition of cobalt oxide addition retards the formation of iron aluminate phase. Mechanical properties investigated include hardness and wear respectively. The measurement of wear of the specimens was done at a constant sliding velocity of 4 m/sec and under a load of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 Kg. A correlation behavior was set up between the hardness and wear behavior of the composite specimens. It was found that due to non reactive sintering the hardness of the specimens was low and wear was high in comparison to undoped Fe-Al2O3 MMC specimens. However, the ductility was improved and overall mechanical behavior of specimens was significantly improved.

Abstract: Dry methane fermentation is an innovative anaerobic digestion technique to treat solid bio-wastes without dilution for potential energy recovery with nutrient rich fertilizer and sustainable waste management. Although dry anaerobic fermentation offers great advantages like utilization of wastes in its produced form, high organic loading rate, no liquid effluent and comparable amount of biogas production with wet fermentation, commercial dry anaerobic digestion is scarcely used so far. In order to develop feasible dry fermentation process, it is important to review the optimization techniques and suggested possible areas where improvements could be made, including the reactor configuration, mixing, feed stocks, co-digestion, pretreatment and environmental conditions within the digester.