K. V. Thiruvengadaravi ¹, J. Nandagopal ², V. Sathya Selva Bala ³, S. Dinesh Kirupha ³, P. Vijayalakshmi ³, S. Sivanesan ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemistry, Velammal Engineering College, Chennai- 600 066, IN
2 Department of Chemistry, Velammal Engineering College, Chennai- 600 066
3 Department of Chemical Engineering, A.C. College of Technology, Anna University, Chennai- 600 025, IN

Abstract

Pre treatment of high free fatty acid containing Pongamia pinnata oil using sulfuric acid catalyst has been optimized. The kinetics of the pre treatment esterification process was studied. The experimental results were found to fit a Pseudo first-order kinetics. The influence of temperature on the rate constants was determined by fitting the results to the Arrhenius equation. The activation energy and frequency factor were favorable for the forward reaction. Based on the experimental results, a methanol to oil ratio of 9:1, one percentage catalyst by weight, and a temperature of 60°C, were selected as the optimum settings for the esterification process.

Keywords

Pongamia Pinnata Oil, Free Fatty Acid, Esterification, Acid Catalyst, Kinetics

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K. Bala Durga Devi ¹, P. Vijayalakshmi ¹, V. Shilpa ¹, VSSL Prasad T ¹, B. Veerendra Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Sciences, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam-530 045, Andhra Pradesh, IN

Abstract

The current study focused on the optimization of kojic acid production by a soil isolated fungal organism Aspergillus flavus through Surface Fermentation (SF) by utilizing a novel carbon source i.e. ripened fruits of Muntingia calabura L. Initially the most significant 7 physico-chemical factors were studied for the optimization process through One-Factor-At-A-Time Method (OFAT). Among these 5 influential factors were screened and five-factor-three-level Central Composite Design (CCD) matrix and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was performed to enhance the production rate of kojic acid. Through one-factor-at-a-time method the optimal values were Substrate concentration 100g/L, Peptone concentration 4g/L, KH₂PO₄ concentration 2g/L, MgSO₄ concentration 0.7g/L, pH 6.0, Time 28d and Temperature 30°C and the maximum kojic acid production was 85.1g/L. The maximum production obtained at the predicted optimal conditions through response surface methodology was Substrate concentration 100g/L, Peptone concentration 4g/L, pH 6.0, Time 28d and Temperature 29°C and the maximum kojic acid production was 88.8 g/L. These results directs to the success of the model in improving a process for the production of kojic acid, a significant organic acid with vast industrial importance.

Keywords

Kojic Acid, Muntingia calabura L, One-Factor-at-a-Time Method, Optimization, Response Surface Methodology.

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P. Vijayalakshmi ¹, J. Lilly Mercy ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Sathyabama University, Chennai, 600119, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

This article solves the customer complaint of poor performance of brake in certain tractors. This failure was reported particularly in Tractor which is predominantly used for puddling application. After prolonged usage, breakage was occurring in certain area of the actuating link. In order to overcome this problem, analysis has been carried out by using finite element method along with optimization technique. To obtain the best result various link designs have been created in CATIA and optimized with an optimization tool called OptiStruct solver in Hypermesh. The stress and deflection plots of existing and modified link were compared. Then the fatigue life of the optimized model is obtained from Nastran in order to know the life of the actuating link. In the same way fatigue life of the existing and modified link were analyzed and discussed.

Keywords

Actuating Link, Failure Analysis, Finite Element Method, Optimization, Redesign

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P. Vijayalakshmi ¹, Prince Kumar Luv ¹, Ankit Kumar Soni ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Sathyabama University, Chennai - 600119, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Purulia is a drought prone district of India. Monsoonal vagaries along with ustic soils and poor groundwater availability augment the sufferings of the district's residents from acute water scarcity. The main objectives of study are to identify the needs of rainwater harvesting and the possibilities of group based water distribution policy for the Bandu River basin area. Last ten years rain fall details has been collected from the meteorological department of West Bengal4 and based on the study area soil curve number, runoff coefficient, the runoff has been estimated for the basin through empirical formulae given by SCS Relation Curve number and Aiexander Binnie5,6 method computed by help of C programming software. Facts have been represented through suitable cartographic and statistical techniques, i.e., comparison of rainfall and runoff data. The study concludes rain water harvesting be the viable answer to the threat possessed by drought situation in Puruliya. And using software leads to increase in accuracy and speed of determination of runoff.

Keywords

Rainwater Harvesting, Runoff Estimation Programming, Statistics, Water Scarcity

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P. Vijayalakshmi ¹, C. Sandeep Kumar Reddy ¹, G. Tharun ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Sathyabama University, Chennai – 600119, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of a groundwater samples (Tannery industrial area). The suitability of groundwater for domestic purpose has been interpreted using Geographical Information system. Methods/Materials: Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters as per the standard procedures prescribed by American Public Health Association (APHA) using standard techniques, to determine Colour, Odour, Turbidity, conductivity, pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), alkalinity, Methyl Orange Alkalinity Total Hardness, Carbonate Hardness, Non Carbonate Hardness, Phenopthenlein, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, sulphate, Iron, Nitrate, and Silica and compared with water quality standards. Findings: Colour, pH (ranges 7.36 to 8.33), Methyl Orange Alkalinity (ranges 2 to 67 mg/l), Phenopthenlein Alkalinity (maximum 82 mg/l), Calcium (<0.01), Magnesium (ranges 4.7 to 14.8 mg/l), Chloride ranges 325 to 642), Sulphate (ranges 24 to 52 mg/l), Iron (<0.01), Nitrate (2 to 28 mg/l), were within the permissible limit. The study reveals that the concentration of Turbidity (5 to 25 NTU), EC (1752 to 4365 micromhos/cm), Total dissolved solids (ranges 863 to 2952 mg/l) and Total Hardness (ranges 300 to 2143 mg/l), exceeding the permissible limit. Groundwater is unsuitable for domestic uses. Application/Implements: By implementing new technology like permeable reactive barrier near the effluent discharged area and around the solid waste dumping area it can minimize the groundwater contamination. Thus, this study indicates the impact of effluents from tanneries. To highlight the impact of tannery effluent on groundwater, strategically analyzed results are presented based on GIS.

Keywords

Domestic, Groundwater Quality, Spatial Distribution, Tanneries, GIS.

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