Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 591

Abstract: In the present work, the effect of nanofluid in a shell and tube heat exchanger was studied numerically. The effects of Reynolds number, volume concentration of suspended nanoparticles on the heat transfer characteristics were investigated using CFD software. Finally, the effect of the nanofluid on Shell and tube heat exchanger performance was studied and compared to that of a conventional fluid (i.e., water).

Abstract: Natural fibre reinforced composites have attracted the attention of research community mainly because they are turning out to be an alternative to synthetic fibre. Various natural fibres such as jute, sisal, palm, coir and banana are used as reinforcements. In this paper, banana fibres and glass fibres have been used as reinforcement. Hybrid epoxy polymer composite was fabricated using chopped banana/glass fibre and the effect of alkali treatment was also studied. It is found that the alkali treatment improved the mechanical properties of the composite.

Abstract: In this paper, the effects of axial force on the mechanical properties of AZ31B magnesium alloy flat plates during the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process were investigated by carrying out the tensile tests as per the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E8M-11 standards. The tensile test results indicated that the increase of the axial force greatly improved the tensile shear load (TSL) of the friction stir welded joints at a constant tool rotational speed of 800 rpm and welding speed of 50mm/min. Sound lap joints with low distortion, lack of cavity and high tensile strength were successfully obtained with an axial force of 5kN. However, the TSL of the friction stir welded joints decreased when the axial forces were 3kN and 4kN with the same constant tool rotational and welding speed.

Abstract: An experimental investigation is carried out on machining Micro Alloy Steel (MAS). The cylindrical rods of diameter 60 mm and length 250 mm is machined using the medium duty lathe of 2 kW spindle power to study the machinability issues of MAS using K20 multi coated (TiN-TiCN-Al₂0₃-ZrCN) Carbide insert. The optimum cutting parameters have been identified by power consumed by main spindle, and average surface roughness of machined component. Results show at higher cutting speeds; good surface finish is obtained. It is concluded that, surface finish is directly proportionate to the cutting speed. Results provide some useful information.

Abstract: This paper presents a surface hardness improvement methodology of a wind turbine helical gear which is made up on EN36 alloy steel material. Now days the wind turbine gears are frequently failed due to high contact stress, due to sudden impact load, change of wind speed and wind directions. Pitting is a method of surface failure in a gear. So, to avoid the gear failures we need to improve the surface hardness of wind turbine gears by using Nitriding process. There are three modes of hardness test taken from this process to improve the hardness. They are before nitriding, after nitriding & without nitriding. By comparing the hardness test values, Gas Nitriding is the best suitable process to increase the surface hardness of a large size gear. By the method of improving surface hardness of wind turbine gear, the load withstanding capacity of the wind turbine gears are increased, pitting failure may be avoided at a desired level and the power production rate is increased.

Abstract: Demand for fossil fuel is ever increasing and there is no guarantee for its availability for the future. As a solution for the problem a fuel–less engine, electromechanical engine is proposed. This engine works on the principle of electromagnetic induction. The electrical input to the engine is supplied by a battery, which can be charged conventionally or non-conventionally. The scale model of the proposed design is tested and was found to be promising.

Abstract: The life in our body is as long the blood is flowing, the moment the circulation of blood is stopped (stagnant) the body becomes dead. The message is anything stagnant become dead or useless. The same mantra of the business organization also. In an organization the larger portion of the current assets is inventories. As long as the inventories are converted to finished goods and the cash realization is happening without any delay with the prescribed time frame the organization is moving forward. The movement the inventories are stagnated for a long period the inventory cost will kill the organization. There are many different inventories controlling techniques are used by different company depending upon their situation. Mainly automotive, FMCG, Pharmaceuticals companies adopted many different techniques. I have not come across any such research paper for wind turbine companies. The objective of this paper is to study the entire raw material inventory of a wind turbine company and give the solution for the optimization of inventory.The organization where I did the study is an assembly of Nacelle, Hub, and manufacturing of Blade. All other components are outsourced. The entire inventory system to be studied, and establish the ABC & VED analysis and merge both VED& ABC matrix analysis, Establish critical inventories to be focused by the top management for optimization of inventories. Such study will give a major focus by the management and control the inventories based on sales order and project installation. This will give major benefit to the organization.

Abstract: Bio diesel from various species of Algae has been in the discussion for a long time, this work is on collecting a macro algae and extracting the oil from it. Converting the oil in to bio Diesel is done by Transesterification method and the testing was made on a Diesel Engine. The Performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of Esters of Gracilaria verrucossa algal are mentioned here. Using Methanol as alcohol and NaOH as catalyst the transesterification process was done.Engine test was conducted at injection timings 20° BTDC, 23° BTDC and 26° BTDC with blends B10 and B20.The result shows there is increase in Brake thermal efficiency, Peak pressure and NOx.The carbon emissions were less when compared with those of the Conventional Diesel.

Abstract: JSW Steel Limited, Salem Works (JSWSL), is an integrated steel plant, having a production capacity of 1.0 mtpa (million tons per annum) of high-grade automotive special steels. At JSWSL, hydrogen induced cracks and center unsoundness contribute more to UT (Ultrasonic testing) rejections in chrome-molybdenum (Cr-Mo) and high manganese grade steels. Hydrogen induced cracks was controlled by increasing argon flow rate from 3-4 Nm³ to 7-9 Nm³ during vacuum degassing. Vigorous purging led to a reduction in hydrogen levels from around 2 ppm (parts per million) to less than 1.5 ppm. Center unsoundness was controlled through optimising superheats in tundish. Data of trial heats revealed that, UT rejections were more in heats cast with superheat levels more than 35°C. Based on the data obtained from trial heats superheat was optimised to 25-35°C for both Cr-Mo and high manganese steels. The present paper discusses the measures taken to reduce UT rejections in these grades.KeywordsJSWSL, Cr-Mo, High Mn steels, UT rejections, superheat, hydrogen induced cracks, center unsoundness, vacuum degassing, continuous casting.