Determining Fuel Type from Estimates of Bulk Modulus Using Rail Pressure Measurements

The intention of this project is to measure fuel properties that would lead to determination whether the fuel is diesel or biodiesel. This research is focused on developing strategies to estimate the isentropic bulk modulus, which is a critical parameter for fuel characterization. Bulk modulus of fuel affects pressure rise due to pumping events differently for different fuels. With the help of sensors available on Cummins XPI fuel system, obtaining the data for pressure rise is accomplished. The pressure rise information is extracted from raw transient rail pressure data after filtering. The effects of filtering, engine speed and sampling rate have been taken into account while extracting the pressure rise estimates. The results obtained from test data have been applied on data from simulation models and from a test rig, which include high frequency oscillations due to sensor noise and rail dynamics. The bulk modulus estimation technique in this research is able to estimate the bulk modulus value for diesel fuel, with errors in the range of 0.71\% to 2.89\%, depending on pressure. The difference in values for bulk modulus of diesel and biodiesel is 7\%, which is not high enough to accommodate the uncertainties produced from bulk modulus estimation calculations. The value of $\Delta V$ used for bulk modulus changes with changing pressure and depends on the compressibility of the fuel, which in turn is dependent on the bulk modulus of the fuel. A possible approach to tackle this problem is to develop equations that use tangent and secant bulk modulus and their inter-relationship to determine $\Delta V$ and bulk modulus simultaneously from data collected at several rail pressures. Apart from this, several recommendations have been made in order to reduce the uncertainty in the results for pressure rise as well as bulk modulus estimation

Occurrence of cyclo-siloxanes in wastewater treatment plants - quantification and monitoring

2012 Fall.Includes bibliographical references.Siloxanes are persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic emerging contaminants introduced to wastewater from common healthcare and biomedical products, and various industrial processes. They remain unchanged through wastewater treatment and a considerable portion ends up in surface waters through effluent discharge. 30 to 60 ng/L Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) was detected in two UK Rivers, while ~400 ng/L of D5 may be found in wastewater effluents. Hence, siloxanes are under consideration by Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and UK Environment Agency for drinking water regulations. Siloxanes are hydrophobic and also accumulate in activated sludge and biogas, causing mechanical problems due to scaling. This research aims: to quantify the siloxanes in sludge samples obtained from Loveland, CO wastewater treatment plant (WWTP); and to study their removal. A method was developed to effectively extract siloxanes from activated sludge samples using liquid extraction followed by quantification with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results for Loveland Wastewater Treatment Plant samples indicated that Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane D5 are present up to 17.11 µg/g dried-sludge. The effectiveness of H2O2 in siloxane removal was investigated. Sludge samples were spiked with D4 and D5 at 12 mg/g and were treated with 1ml, 3ml, and 5ml of 30% H2O2 for 1hr, 2hr, and 3hr reaction time each. Results indicated a 72% reduction in D4 and D5 levels after 3 hrs

Electrochemical deposition of green rust on zero-valent iron

Perchloroethylene (PCE) is a toxic contaminant that has been introduced into the environment over many years through industrial and agricultural wastes. Research has been done in the past to investigate PCE degradation by zero-valent iron (ZVI), green rust (GR) and a mixture of both. The combination of ZVI and green rust has been reported to be more effective for degrading PCE than either of them alone. Forming green rust electrochemically has the potential for depositing GR more effectively on the surface of ZVI where it will be able to more easily transfer electrons from ZVI to contaminants such as PCE. Therefore, the goal of this research was to determine the feasibility of electrochemically depositing green rust on zero-valent iron and to characterize it in terms of its composition, crystal properties and amount produced. XRD analysis was conducted to determine composition and crystal properties and a procedure was developed to measure the amount produced. Equipment was constructed to deposit green rust electrochemically onto ZVI. A chain of experiments with varying voltage, pH, time and amounts of ZVI were conducted to determine feasible experimental conditions for GR formation. Then, a method was developed to accurately measure the amount of surface oxides of iron deposited on the zero-valent iron substrate. This method was tested and found useful for measuring iron in: i) standard solutions of soluble iron with different concentrations of reagents; ii) suspensions with solid iron hydroxides by themselves; and iii) suspensions with solid iron hydroxides and ZVI. Electrochemical experiments were conducted and the amounts of iron hydroxides deposited on the ZVI surface were measured. XRD analysis of the deposits on the surface was conducted and the patterns of XRD-peaks were compared to that of type 2 Â sulfate green rust

Gender differences in clinical profile and risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea in a public health care setting

Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome is an increasingly prevalent chronic condition which is, unfortunately, still underdiagnosed. It is peculiarity of this noisy disease that it announces itself to everyone within earshot-except its victims. The intermittent hypoxemia and sleep fragmentation caused by recurrent episodes of upper airway collapse are chiefly responsible for the pathophysiology associated with this condition.Methods: The present study was carried out from January 2014 to August 2015 in a tertiary care government hospital. In this comparative hospital based study 94 patients with Sleep Disordered Breathing and >13 years of age were included. There were 58 males and 36 females in the present study. All patients who satisfied inclusion criteria were studied after taking written consent. Collection of data was carried out with predesigned proforma.Results: Of all the 94 patients who underwent overnight Polysomnographic study,80 patients were diagnosed as Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Risk factor of OSA have gender differences in their distribution. Female patient is older with significantly higher mean age compared to male patients with OSA (52.9 vs 44.7 years). Females are having significantly higher BMI compared to male OSA(38.2 vs 31.5) but neck circumference is higher in males (44.7 Vs 38.1 cm).The prevalence of Smoking and Alcoholism as a risk factor is higher in male patients while endocrine disorder are more common in females. ENT abnormalities are present more or less equally in both the sexes.Conclusions: In the present study females’ patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea were mainly Older, Obese, Postmenopausal and endocrine disorder like Hypothyroidism were more prevalent while male patients were Smoker, Alcoholic and had higher neck circumference

Report of Platythomisus octomaculatus (C. L. Koch, 1845) and Platythomisus sudeepi Biswas, 1977 from India (Araneae, Thomisidae)

The genus Platythomisus Doleschall, 1859 presently comprises 13 valid species, nine known from Africa and four from Asia. All Platythomisus species are known from females only, except P. jucundus Thorell, 1894 and P. sudeepi Biswas, 1977 from both sexes and P. quadrimaculatus from juvenile. Only, P. sudeepi was reported from India. Platythomisus octomaculatus (C. L. Koch, 1845) is recorded after 120 years of its last report; newly recorded from Assam, India which extends its distribution from the previously known localities, Java and Sumatra. Platythomisus sudeepi is newly recorded from the Maharashtra State. The variation in the number of abdominal spots on juvenile, sub-adult and adult of P. octomaculatus observed during rearing is reported. Although, the species name 'octomaculatus' suggests eight spots, we observed that the anterior pair of abdominal spots is fused in adults

Biogeochemical interactions of natural organic matter with arsenic in groundwater

Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment of Civil EngineeringDavid R. StewardGroundwater contamination with arsenic (As), a naturally occurring metalloid, is a worldwide problem. Over 100 million people are at health risk due to arsenic contaminated groundwater, especially in the Bengal Basin in south-east Asia. Dissolved organic matter (DOM), geology and geomicrobiology are important factors affecting arsenic mobility. This study focuses on interactions of different aspects of natural organic matter in arsenic-contaminated environments. A literature review specifically includes past studies done on fundamentals of arsenic geology, geomicrobiology, DOM characterization and relevant analytical methods and tools. Based on background information already collected, this research is focused on specific research questions and corresponding hypotheses. The overarching goal of this investigation is to better understand the mechanisms by which DOM influences arsenic mobilization. The specific goals of this research are: 1) to evaluate role of oxidized humic quinones in reductive dissolution of Fe-As minerals and subsequent arsenic mobilization via electron shuttling, 2) to quantify the rate of microbially mediated reductive dissolution in the presence of oxidized humic quinones, 3) to evaluate DOM-Fe-As ternary complex formation and its influence on arsenic mobility and 4) to characterize DOM in the arsenic-contaminated aquifers of West Bengal, India and evaluate its role in arsenic mobilization using groundwater flow and contaminant transport modeling approach. Results of this study revealed that oxidized quinone like moieties (such as fulvic acids) serve as an electron shuttle and enhance the reductive dissolution process under reducing conditions, hence mobilize the arsenic in groundwater. Another key result from this study suggested that arsenic binds with non-aromatic portion of the humic-like DOM under reducing conditions and increases its solution concentration. A field study conducted in West Bengal, India revealed that the mechanisms studied in the laboratory exists in reducing aquifer. A groundwater flow and reactive transport model was created to explain multiple interactions of DOM and arsenic spatial scales. Broader impacts of this study include significant addition to scientific knowledge about subsurface biogeochemistry and the role of DOM in biogeochemical reactions in the subsurface

PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY OF PTEROCARPUS SANTALINUS AND ITS ROLE IN DERMATOLOGY

The review provides an updated overview of the phytochemical and pharmacological studies on Pterocarpus santalinus. It briefs on the synergistic interactions of P. santalinus with other medicinal plants and its use in Ayurvedic formulations. Phytochemical analysis suggests the presence of triterpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. The phytoconstituents and related pharmacological activities of various parts of P. santalinus include antifungal, anticholinesterase, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiulcer. Literature survey highlights the dermatological applications of the phytoconstituents such as pterostilbene, savinin, and betulin as potential leads for anti-aging, ultraviolet rays (UV-B) protective, and wound healing effects. Undoubtedly, P. santalinus has wide therapeutic value. The dermatologically significant phytoconstituents, namely, pterostilbene, cedrol, savinin, lupeol, betulin, β-eudesmol, and α-bisabolol, if isolated and used in dermatological formulations, can show promising skin protective effect. The data were compiled using scientific databases, namely, Google Scholar and PubMed, the data made available specifically from 2010 to 2021

Fluroscopic guided percutaneous transpedicular biopsy of vertebral body lesion: a safe and effective procedure

Background: Vertebral biopsy is suitable for patients with intractable back pain and vertebral body lesions that are detected with noninvasive imaging modalities. Histologic confirmation is necessary for correct diagnosis and subsequent clinical management. Percutaneous biopsy is less invasive and cost-effective.Methods: Twenty three patients with history of severe back pain with vertebral body lesion identified by any of computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were taken up for percutaneous biopsy. Lesion level was determined under fluoroscopy. Biopsy was taken with trephine needle under local anesthesia. Accuracy and effectiveness analyzed after histologic reports.Results: Among 23 patients, 2 were having malignant primary lesions (8.6%), 8 were having vertebral metastasis (35%), 10 were having infectious etiology (43.4%) and 3 were osteoporotic fractures. There were no complications. One unsuspected secondary malignancy was detected. True positive cases were 19; true negative cases were 3 and one false negative case. Overall accuracy is 95%. Conclusions: This minimal invasive technique is simple, safe and effective in diagnosis of malignancy and infection aiding the treating surgeon in their further management. It is also useful in detecting unsuspected malignancy.