Analyzing Performance for Generating Power with Renewable Energy Source using Rice Husk as an Alternate Fuel

Energy demand is increasing continuously due to sharp growth in population and industrial development. The development and installation of energy sources are not keeping pace with spiraling demand of energy. Although energy production has increased manifold but still there is big gap between production and demand. The major energy demand is met by conventional energy sources like coal, petroleum, diesel, and natural gas etc. This causes depletion of fossil fuel reserve and environmental pollution. The use of fossil fuel not only causes environmental impact but also energy security problem. Energy from biomass is renewable energy, being looked at as an alternative of fossil fuel. One of the biomass energy sources is rice husk, which is a very promising renewable energy source as it is indigenous and has environmental benefits. However, the environmental and financial profiles of the electricity generation from biomass must be assessed to ensure reduction in greenhouse gas emission and positive cash flow. Environmental impact potential from rice husk is generally lesser than fossil fuel plants. A dual fuel diesel engine-generation of 800 kW, using rice husk gasifier, is considered for the analysis purpose. Keywords: Renewable energy, Rice husk, Gasification, Dual fuel generation, Energy model, GHG (Green House Gas) emission

Surface modification of polymer nanocomposites by glow discharge plasma treatment

Systematic study was carried out to characterize the effects of Argon ion plasma on nanocomposite polymer membrane. Nanoparticles of cobalt (Co) are synthesized by chemical root. 20 micron nanocomposite polymeric membranes were prepared using solution casting and spin coating method. Argon ion plasma treatment was done for these membranes. These membranes were characterized before and after plasma treatment to make comparative study by different technique such as optical microscopy, SEM-scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results show that plasma treatment is a quite effective tool for improving surface and chemical properties of composite membranes with unique characteristics.Досліджено вплив іонно-плазмової обробки на властивості мембрани з нанокомпозитного полімеру. Наночастинки кобальту одержано хімічним синтезом. Мембрани завтовшки 20 mm виготовлено нанесенням нанокомпозитного полімеру з розчину з подальшою іонно-плазмовою обробкою. Мембрани вивчено перед та після їх обробки плазмою методами оптичної мікроскопії, сканівної електронної мікроскопії та інфрачервоної Фур’є-спектроскопії. Виявлено, що іонно-плазмова обробка – ефективний засіб поліпшення поверхневих та хімічних властивостей мембран з нанокомпозитних матеріалів.Исследовано влияние ионно-плазменной обработки на свойства мембраны из нанокомпозитного полимера. Наночастицы кобальта получены химическим синтезом. Мембраны толщиной 20 mm изготовлены нанесением нанокомпозитного полимера с раствора с последующей ионно-плазменной обработкой. Мембраны изучены до и после обработки плазмой методами оптической микроскопии, сканирующей электронной микроскопии и инфракрасной Фурье-спектроскопии. Выявлено, что ионно-плазменная обработка – эффективное средство улучшения поверхностных и химических свойств мембран с нанокомпозитных материалов

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among the general population and healthcare workers in India, December 2020–January 2021

Background: Earlier serosurveys in India revealed seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) of 0.73% in May–June 2020 and 7.1% in August–September 2020. A third serosurvey was conducted between December 2020 and January 2021 to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the general population and healthcare workers (HCWs) in India. Methods: The third serosurvey was conducted in the same 70 districts as the first and second serosurveys. For each district, at least 400 individuals aged ≥10 years from the general population and 100 HCWs from subdistrict-level health facilities were enrolled. Serum samples from the general population were tested for the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against the nucleocapsid (N) and spike (S1-RBD) proteins of SARS-CoV-2, whereas serum samples from HCWs were tested for anti-S1-RBD. Weighted seroprevalence adjusted for assay characteristics was estimated. Results: Of the 28,598 serum samples from the general population, 4585 (16%) had IgG antibodies against the N protein, 6647 (23.2%) had IgG antibodies against the S1-RBD protein, and 7436 (26%) had IgG antibodies against either the N protein or the S1-RBD protein. Weighted and assay-characteristic-adjusted seroprevalence against either of the antibodies was 24.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 23.0–25.3%]. Among 7385 HCWs, the seroprevalence of anti-S1-RBD IgG antibodies was 25.6% (95% CI 23.5–27.8%). Conclusions: Nearly one in four individuals aged ≥10 years from the general population as well as HCWs in India had been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 by December 2020