IoT-based electromagnetic actuator for CVT: basic design and prototyping

Resulting from the slow fluid pressure responses and fluid viscosity loss, the present hydraulic-powered CVTs produce jerky movements, rattling noise and unequal power transmission at uphill climbing. The aim of this article is to present a design and prototyping of an electromagnetic actuated continuously variable transmission (EMA-CVT). Using the kinematics analysis of CVT clamping forces and electromagnetic forces, the EMA-CVT is modelled. An internet of things (IoT) has been developed to control the EMA-CVT gear ration with integrating a fuzzy logic controller CVT, wheel speed sensor, CVT pulley position sensor, and CVT secondary pulley revolution sensor. The fuzzy logic controller is used to control the current supply to the EMA. The CVT has a failsafe mode that allows to manually adjust the gear ratio if any of the sensor of the IoT system malfunctions. The EMA develops the electromagnetic force in the range of 185–266 N for the supply current in the range of 3–3.7 amps

Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on the growth and yield components of traditional and improved rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes in Malaysia

Rice is the most important staple cereal human nutrition and consumed by 75% of the global population. Rice plants need a supply of essential nutrients for their optimal growth. Rice production has increased tremendously in Malaysia insensitive irrigation and the use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. However, the effect of using inorganic fertilizers resulted in contamination of ground water and decreased the productivity of soil, which in turn affected the rice production in the long term. The use of organic manure may help to regain the soil health, but that is insufficient for providing the essential nutrients to achieve optimal growth. Therefore, the use of organic manure combined with inorganic fertilizers is applied to obtain optimum yields. This study aims to test the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield components of 65 rice genotypes. The pot experiment was conducted at the net house on field 10, University Putra Malaysia, UPM, Malaysia, during the period of February to June 2019 and August to December 2019 in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. There were three treatment combinations viz. T1: 5 t ha−1 chicken manure (CM), T2: 2.5 t ha−1 CM + 50% CFRR, T3: 100% (150 N: 60 P2O5: 60 K2O kg ha−1) and chemical fertilizer recommended rate (CFRR). Grain and straw samples were collected for chemical analysis, and physical parameters were measured at the harvest stage. Results showed that most of the growth and yield components were significantly influenced due to the application of organic manure with chemical fertilizer. The application of chemical fertilizer alone or in combination with organic manure resulted in a significant increase in growth, yield component traits, and nutrient content (N, P, and K) of all rice genotypes. Treatment of 2.5 t ha−1 CM + 50% CFRR as well as 100% CFRR showed a better performance than the other treatments. It was observed that the yield of rice genotypes can be increased substantially with the judicious application of organic manure with chemical fertilizer. The benefits of the mixed fertilization (organic + inorganic) were not only the crop yields but also the promotion of soil health, the reduction of chemical fertilizer input, etc

Conversion of cellulose to short chain polyols over metal loaded on KCC-1 catalyst

The production of short chain polyols from cellulose over metal (Ce, Ni or Ru) loaded on fibrous mesoporous silica KCC-1 catalysts was studied at temperature range of 150-240 °C. The KCC-1 was prepared by microwave assisted hydrothermal method. Then it was modified with Ce, Ni or Ru by incipient wetness impregnation method. The KCC-1, Ce/KCC-1, Ni/KCC-1 and Ru/KCC-1 were characterized with XRD, FESEM, FTIR and nitrogen-phy-sisorption analyzer. The XRD analysis showed that the introduction of metals did not change much of the XRD pattern for KCC-1. The FESEM and EDX results showed the presence of Ce, Ni and Ru metals on the uniform spherical shape of fibrous silica particle. The surface area of KCC-1, Ce/KCC-1, Ni/KCC-1 and Ru/KCC-1 was 393.81, 371.56, 314.22 and 351.97 m2/g, respectively. At 220 °C, 5 bars of nitrogen, and 2 h of reaction, the con-version of cellulose reached 95 % over Ce/KCC-1 with the product distribution of 3-buten-1-ol (S=63.30%), diiso-propyl ether (S=2.86%) and cyclopropane carboxylic acid (S=33.70%). While, bare KCC-1, Ni/KCC-1 and Ru/KCC-1 showed less activity than that of Ce/KCC-1. The high activity of Ce/KCC-1 may be due to the presence of Ce metal and fibrous silica which provided large surface area and average pore diameter

Positive and negative effects of COVID-19 pandemic on aquatic environment: a review

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak was reported for the first time in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. This coronavirus has been referred as Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19 by World Health Organization (WHO). The spread of COVID-19 has become unstoppable, infecting around 93.5 million people worldwide, with the infections and deaths still increasing. Today, the entire planet has changed due to the greatest threat on the planet since the introduction of this lethal disease. This pandemic has left the world in turmoil and various measures have been taken by many countries including movement control order or lockdown, to slow down or mitigate the infection. Since the lockdown has been implemented almost in all affected countries, there has been a significant reduction in anthropogenic activity, including a reduction in industrial operations, vehicle numbers, and marine-related activities. All of these changes have also led to some unexpected environmental consequences. As a result of this lockdown, it had a positive and negative impact on the environment including the aquatic environment. Hence this review will therefore focus on the good and bad perspectives of the lockdown toward the aquatic environment

Chlorination for the removal of zinc from Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) by-product

A study on the chlorination of Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) by-product dusts followed by water leaching was conducted. The samples used for the studies sourced from the earth works and beneficiation of BOS byproduct from the stockpile. Comprehensive reports resulted from the excavation, beneficiation, physical and chemical analysis are reported. Zinc and iron removal studies from BOS by-product were investigated by means of chlorination roasting. Chlorination roasting of the BOS material by means of pyrometallurgical extraction was undertaking, assessing parameters such as roasting temperature, roasting time and chemical stoichiometry. A preliminary study was carried out using a solid chlorination agent, Ammonium Chloride (NH4Cl) in a muffle furnace for a 3 stage roasting conducted for 15 minutes to 180 minutes at 450C to 750C. Selected studies were carried out with 1-stage roasting. Further experimental studies then took place for chlorination using gaseous Cl2/N2 mixture gas in the tube furnace with 5 times chemical stoichiometry for a roasting time from 5 minutes to 90 minutes, with various temperatures from 150C to 750C. A 1 times and 2 times stoichiometry were added in selected procedure to foresee the effects of starvation agent. Additional surface area affects were also added to the chlorination with Cl2/N2 gas using bigger sample boat. Water leaching for 1 hour and 24 hours were conducted on the sample roasted with Cl2/N2 to investigate the leachability of Zn to assist further removal. The chemical and mineralogical composition of the BOS stockpile varied widely. The pH value were highly alkaline ranging from 10.2 – 13.5, while the moisture content showed a very wide range from 6 – 43%. The particle size analysis of the earth works excavation on the study site established five stockpile particle size fraction, ranging from as fine as 38.22 mm. The composition of zinc ranging from 2.78% - 5.96%, while the iron content ranging from 41.36 to 62.18% respectively. This amount of iron has the potential for recovery and reused within a steel making process. It is possible to recover 97% of Zn and 30% Fe by roasting at 750C for a period of 135 minutes with NH4Cl salt. Roasting with 3 stages of NH4Cl addition proved to be more appropriate to increase the percentage of zinc removal. 97% Zn are removed Cl2/N2 gas for a period of 30 minutes roasting. The water leaching was conducted More than 90% Zn are recovered using bigger surface area sample boat with only 2.5 times stoichiometry. The extraction of Zn was greatly enhanced by the water leaching following the chlorination roasting using Cl2/N2 gas. 95% of Zn was leached while only 7% Fe was extracted after chlorination at 650C for 20 minutes roasting. It is possible to leach up to 98% Zinc after the chlorination roasting at 450C at 20 mins. The research has demonstrated that chlorination extraction has potential application in the steel sector for removal of Zn from steelmaking BOS dusts. In conducting the chlorination roasting, operational parameters such as temperature, roasting, chlorine agent stoichiometry, and surface area are important in determining the best operational condition. Hybrid process of chlorination roasting with leaching could highly assist in the further removal of Zn from BOS dust

Landfill After-Care Management Plan

Management of a landfill is a continuous process that proceeds long after the active landfill period, which is called landfill post-closure/after-care management. In most developed and developing countries, this after-care period is regulated for a minimum of 30 years after landfill closure. This ensures waste stabilization within the landfill layers, and there are minimal environmental threats to the surrounding area, especially from the leachate and landfill gas emissions. This chapter covers the legislation and requirements imposed by most countries related to the proper management of landfills during this passive phase, which involves the monitoring requirement and emission evaluation. The basic principles of landfill technology, its types, and operation will first be discussed as it influences after-care management. Emphasis will be made toward three methods/approaches (evaluation through target value, evaluation using impact/risk assessment, and evaluation through a performance-based system) in determining the completion or endpoint for the post-closure period. Both the advantages and disadvantages of each method will be further discussed and summarized

An evaluation of chlorination for the removal of zinc from steelmaking dusts

This paper explores the feasibility of a high temperature chlorination roast for selectively remove Zn from steelmaking dust. Experiments using ammonium chloride as the chlorination reagent indicate promising removal of up to 99% Zn. However, up to 30% of the Fe content of the dust is concomitantly recovered with the Zn, this is an undesirable feature in the process. This paper examines optimisation of Zn recovery and minimisation of Fe recovery during the chlorination roast through variation of parameters such as roasting temperature, time and chlorination agent ratio

The nutrient content, growth, yield, and yield attribute traits of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes as influenced by organic fertilizer in Malaysia

One of the most important challenges to continuously maximizing crop production on limited areas of agricultural land is maintaining or enhancing soil fertility. Organic fertilizer application is needed to replace nutrients recovered by crops from the fields in order to restore the crop production potential of the soil. The utilization of chicken manure as an organic fertilizer is essential in improving soil productivity and cop production. In Malaysia, demand for rice as a food source is rising in tandem with population growth, while paddy rice production capacity is becoming increasingly constrained. Field experiments were carried out in Sungai besar, Kuala Selangor, Malaysia during the two planting seasons in 2020 to evaluate the effects of different levels of organic fertilizer on the growth and yield of rice genotypes. A split plot layout in a randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. The twelve rice genotypes were in the main plots. The sub-plots were treatments. The experiment comprised 4 treatments, viz., T1 = 100% NPK (N150P60K60), T2 = Chicken manure @ 5 t ha−1, T3 = Chicken manure @ 7 t ha−1, and T4 = Chicken manure @ 10 t ha−1. The study indicated that different levels of chicken manure and NPK fertilizer showed significant effects on growth, yield, and yield contributing characters of all the rice genotypes. Results showed that application of chicken manure 10 t ha-1 was the best in producing growth and yield contributing characters, grain and straw yields, and also nutrient (N, P, and K) contents in grain and straw. The maximum number of panicles (422.56 panicles m−1), the maximum number of filled grains (224.49 grains panicle−1), and the maximum grain yield (8.02 t ha−1) and straw yield (9.88 t ha−1) were recorded from T4 treatment at the rice genotype BRRI dhan75. Although the highest biological yield was recorded from T4 treatment, a statistically similar result was found for T3 treatment. The highest harvest index was also recorded for T4 treatment. Therefore, rice genotype BRRI dhan75 can be recommended under chicken manure @ 10 t ha−1 for rice production in Malaysia

The Nutrient Content, Growth, Yield, and Yield Attribute Traits of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes as Influenced by Organic Fertilizer in Malaysia

One of the most important challenges to continuously maximizing crop production on limited areas of agricultural land is maintaining or enhancing soil fertility. Organic fertilizer application is needed to replace nutrients recovered by crops from the fields in order to restore the crop production potential of the soil. The utilization of chicken manure as an organic fertilizer is essential in improving soil productivity and cop production. In Malaysia, demand for rice as a food source is rising in tandem with population growth, while paddy rice production capacity is becoming increasingly constrained. Field experiments were carried out in Sungai besar, Kuala Selangor, Malaysia during the two planting seasons in 2020 to evaluate the effects of different levels of organic fertilizer on the growth and yield of rice genotypes. A split plot layout in a randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. The twelve rice genotypes were in the main plots. The sub-plots were treatments. The experiment comprised 4 treatments, viz., T1 = 100% NPK (N150P60K60), T2 = Chicken manure @ 5 t ha−1, T3 = Chicken manure @ 7 t ha−1, and T4 = Chicken manure @ 10 t ha−1. The study indicated that different levels of chicken manure and NPK fertilizer showed significant effects on growth, yield, and yield contributing characters of all the rice genotypes. Results showed that application of chicken manure 10 t ha-1 was the best in producing growth and yield contributing characters, grain and straw yields, and also nutrient (N, P, and K) contents in grain and straw. The maximum number of panicles (422.56 panicles m−1), the maximum number of filled grains (224.49 grains panicle−1), and the maximum grain yield (8.02 t ha−1) and straw yield (9.88 t ha−1) were recorded from T4 treatment at the rice genotype BRRI dhan75. Although the highest biological yield was recorded from T4 treatment, a statistically similar result was found for T3 treatment. The highest harvest index was also recorded for T4 treatment. Therefore, rice genotype BRRI dhan75 can be recommended under chicken manure @ 10 t ha−1 for rice production in Malaysia