Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) applied to Mechanical Engineering

[EN] In 2015, the United Nations approved the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, an opportunity for countries and their societies to face the challenge of successfully addressing the transition to a more sustainable future for people and the planet, leaving no one behind. The agenda defines a total of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of universal application to promote economic growth, a commitment to social needs and the protection of the environment. For the successful achievement the ambitious and demanding SDGs, individuals, businesses, governments, and higher education institutions should work collaboratively. This paper aims to contribute to the implementation of the SDGs in the mechanical engineering subjects, and to define appropriate indicators and validation processes to assess their level of fulfillment as established in the 2030 Agenda. As a result, better decisions can be made regarding the efforts that universities - including students, academics and researchers and professional services staff - must invest to incorporate the SDGs into their initiatives, structures, and policies.Llopis-Albert, C.; Rubio, F.; Zeng, S.; Grima-Olmedo, J.; Grima-Olmedo, C. (2022). Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) applied to Mechanical Engineering. Multidisciplinary Journal for Education, Social and Technological Sciences. 9(1):59-70. https://doi.org/10.4995/muse.2022.1726959709

Energetic performance of landfill and digester biogas in a domestic cooker

The energetic performance of landfill biogas (LB) and biodigester biogas (BB) from municipal waste was examined in consumption tests. These tests were performed in situ at a gas generation plant associated with a landfill facility in Madrid (Spain) and following the standard UNE-EN 30-2-1 (1999). The jets of a domestic cooker commonly used for natural gas (NG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) were modified to operate with the biogases produced at the facility. The working pressures best suited to the tested gases, i.e., to avoid flashback and flame lift, and to ensure the stability and correct functioning of the flame during combustion, were determined by trial and error. Both biogases returned optimum energetic performance for the transfer of heat to water in a metallic recipient (as required by the above standard) at a supply pressure of 10 mbar. Domestic cookers are normally supplied with NG at a pressure of 20 mbar, at which pressure the energetic performance of G20 reference gas was higher than that of both biogases (52.84% compared to 38.06% and 49.77% respectively). Data concerning these issues involving also unexplored feedstock are required for the correct conversions of domestic cookers in order to avoid risks of serious personal injuries or property damages

Análisis de la permeabilidad al aire de filtros de protección respiratoria

Los filtros que forman los equipos de protección respiratoria están constituidos por una serie de capas formadas por fibras entrecruzadas, orientadas al azar, que reducen los espacios libres en la dirección del flujo de aire inspiratorio. La estructura tridimensional formada permite orificios mayores que las partículas a retener con el fin de no provocar una excesiva caída de presión. Cuando los orificios se reducen significativamente o se obstruyen por la deposición excesiva de partículas carbón, se crea una elevada resistencia al paso del aire que provoca la incomodidad del filtro, disminuyendo su permeabilidad. Cuanto mayor sea el número de capas filtrantes (espesor) mayor es la eficacia del filtro pero también es mayor la resistencia que ofrece tanto a la respiración como a la eliminación del calor y la humedad generados en su interior

Study of porosity and permeability of air filter material in respiratory proptection filters.

The objective is the study of filtering tissue permeability and the characterization by means of permeability tests, of the process of coal particles retention in breath protection filters.The permeability of nine probes have been measured against partic

Evolución de los equipos de decantación para estériles de mina: del espesador convencional al de cono profundo para la producción de pasta

Los espesadores son equipos de separación sólido-líquido en los que una suspensión de sólidos formando una pulpa, se alimenta a un tanque provisto de un mecanismo interno que mediante la acción de la gravedad permite concentrar los sólidos en el fondo y hace fluir el agua clarificada hacia la superficie para ser recogida en el rebose del tanque. Por lo general las partes que integran estos equipos de sedimentación en esencia son las mismas desde los primeros diseños, si bien los equipos más modernos presentan avances y nuevas tecnologías aplicadas principalmente a los componentes que integran el mecanismo interno, lo que proporciona un mayor rendimiento en su operación. Con el paso de los años, los espesadores de lodos han experimentado una gran reducción en el tamaño y en el diámetro requerido para una misma tasa de alimentación de sólidos. Así como se ha desarrollado una alta eficiencia de los floculantes de polímeros sintéticos, se ha conseguido una reducción en el tamaño y diámetro de los espesadores comparados con los primeros diseños convencionales que no usaban floculante; y donde los modernos espesadores maximizan su efectividad con el uso de diversos sistemas de alimentación

Experimental developments for measuring the initiation of mine fires

A scale model of a dead end gallery has been developed. After heated air flow was introduced, the increase in temperature and gases evolution were monitored. The ventilation was increased and the temperature was elevated to produce an ignition process. Obtained data have shown significant measures of the self ignition mechanism, bringing a valuable tool to predict and early detect the process

Use of technical computing systems in the context of engineering problems

[EN] This paper presents a teaching innovation project based on applying technical computing systems as a resource to improve learning in the classroom and as a way of evaluating transversal competences (TC). By these means, students analyze complex kinematic and dynamic mechanical systems in the context of the subject Dynamics of Mechanical Systems of the Master’s Degree in Mechatronics Engineering at Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain). We have observed that the use of such tools improves the students learning on the contents of the subject, allows to acquire the transversal competence related to the analysis and problem solving, and enhances the ability to understand concepts intuitively. Furthermore, results clearly show a positive influence on the use of such tools for improving the professional and ethical commitment to the issues raised.Llopis Albert, C.; Rubio Montoya, FJ.; Valle-Falcones, L.; Grima-Olmedo, C. (2020). Use of technical computing systems in the context of engineering problems. Multidisciplinary Journal for Education, Social and Technological Sciences. 7(2):84-99. https://doi.org/10.4995/muse.2020.14283OJS849972Artobolevsky, I.I. 1975. Mechanisms in Modern Engineering Design: A Handbook for Engineers, Designers and Inventors. Seven books. Mir Pubblishers, Moscow.Bloom, B.S. 1956. Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: The Classification of Educational Goals. David McKay Company, p. 201-7.Llopis-Albert, C., Rubio, F., Valero, F. 2015. Improving productivity using a multi-objective optimization of robotic trajectory planning. Journal of Business Research, 68 (7), 1429-1431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.01.027Llopis-Albert, C., Rubio, F., Valero, F. (2018). Optimization approaches for robot trajectory planning. Multidisciplinary Journal for Education, Social and Technological Sciences, 5(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.4995/muse.2018.9867Llopis-Albert, C., Rubio, F., Valero, F. (2019). Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis applied to the design of a network flow of automated guided vehicles for improving business productivity. Journal of Business Research, 101, 737-742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.12.076Llopis-Albert, C., Rubio, F., Valero, F., Liao, H., Zeng, S. 2019a. Stochastic inverse finite element modeling for characterization of heterogeneous material properties. Materials Research Express, 6(11), 115806. https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/ab4c72Llopis-Albert, C., Valero, F., Mata, V., Pulloquinga, J.L., Zamora-Ortiz, P., Escarabajal, R.J. 2020. Optimal Reconfiguration of a Parallel Robot for Forward Singularities Avoidance in Rehabilitation Therapies. A Comparison via Different Optimization Methods. Sustainability, 12(14), 5803. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12145803Llopis-Albert, C., Valero, F., Mata, V., Zamora-Ortiz, P., Escarabajal, R.J., Pulloquinga, J.L. 2020a. Optimal Reconfiguration of a Limited Parallel Robot for Forward Singularities Avoidance. Multidisciplinary Journal for Education, Social and Technological Sciences, 7(1), 113-127. https://doi.org/10.4995/muse.2020.13352Rubio, F., Llopis-Albert, C., Valero, F., Suñer, J.L. 2015. Assembly Line Productivity Assessment by Comparing Optimization-Simulation Algorithms of Trajectory Planning for Industrial Robots. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 10 pages. Article ID 931048. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/931048Rubio, F., Llopis-Albert, C., Valero, F., & Suñer, J. L. 2016. Industrial robot efficient trajectory generation without collision through the evolution of the optimal trajectory. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 86, 106-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.robot.2016.09.008Rubio, F., Llopis-Albert, C. 2019. Viability of using wind turbines for electricity generation in electric vehicles. Multidisciplinary Journal for Education, Social and Technological Sciences, 6(1), 115-126. https://doi.org/10.4995/muse.2019.11743Rubio, F., Valero, F., & Llopis-Albert, C. 2019a. A review of mobile robots: Concepts, methods, theoretical framework, and applications. International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems, 16(2), 172988141983959. https://doi.org/10.1177/1729881419839596SolidWorks software. 2020. Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation. 175 Wyman Street Waltham, MA 02451, USA. https://www.solidworks.com/UPV, 2020. Proyecto institucional competencias transversales. Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). Valencia. Spain. https://www.upv.es/entidades/ICE/info/Proyecto_Institucional_CT.pdfWolfram Mathematica software. 2020. The Wolfram Centre. Lower Road, Long Hanborough. Oxfordshire OX29 8FD, United Kingdom. https://www.wolfram.com/mathematica/Valero, F., Rubio, F., Llopis-Albert, C., Cuadrado, J.I. (2017). Influence of the Friction Coefficient on the Trajectory Performance for a Car-Like Robot. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 9 pages. Article ID 4562647. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/4562647Valero, F., Rubio, F., Llopis-Albert, C. 2019. Assessment of the Effect of Energy Consumption on Trajectory Improvement for a Car-like Robot. Robotica, 37(11), 1998-2009. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0263574719000407Valero, F., Rubio, F., Besa, A.J. 2019a. Efficient trajectory of a car-like mobile robot. Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, 46(2), 211-222. https://doi.org/10.1108/IR-10-2018-021

Framework to Assess Natural Chloride Background in Coastal Aquifers Affected by Seawater Intrusion in Eastern Spain

[EN] The protection of groundwater resources in coastal aquifers is an increasingly important issue worldwide. To establish threshold values and remediation objectives, it is essential to know the natural background concentrations of relevant ions in groundwater. The rationale is to define the Natural Background Level (NBL) of chemical species determined by atmospheric and lithological forces. In many coastal aquifers, this evaluation worsens since atmospheric and lithological salinity combines with many other anthropogenic sources of salinity, including exogenous salinity induced by seawater intrusion (SWI). This paper presents a combination of six well-known statistical techniques and a new methodology (i.e., SITE index) in eight GWBs affected by SWI in Eastern Spain. The chloride ion was the selected conservative chemical specie to assess the qualitative status due to the variable SWI affection. The Natural Chloride Background (NCB) obtained from these methodologies at the GWB scale was compared with regional NCB data calculated with the Atmospheric Chloride Mass Balance (CMB) method in Continental Spain. The CMB method provides atmospherically derived NCB data that are not influenced by SWI or anthropogenic activities or lithological forces. This external evaluation can be considered the atmospheric fraction of NCB, which serves as a regional criterion to validate the more detailed statistical methodologies applied at the GWB scale. As a result, a conceptualization of NCB is obtained by means of a range of values between 115 mg L-1 and 261 mg L-1 in the studied coastal GWBs affected by SWI in Eastern Spain.This research was partially funded by the projects GeoE.171.008-TACTIC and Ge-oE.171.008-HOVER from the EU Horizon 2020 R+D program, the project 101086497 from the EU Horizon-CL6-2022-Governance-01 R+D program, and the project SIGLO-PROAN (PID2021-128021OB-I00 and RTI2018-101397-B-I00) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.Grima-Olmedo, J.; Ballesteros-Navarro, B.; Pulido-Velázquez, D.; Renau-Pruñonosa, A.; Javier Alcalá, F.; Llopis-Albert, C.; Jiménez-Gavilán, P.... (2023). Framework to Assess Natural Chloride Background in Coastal Aquifers Affected by Seawater Intrusion in Eastern Spain. Water. 15(15):1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15152728117151

Activated carbon from flash pyrolysis of eucalyptus residue

Forestry waste (eucalyptus sp) was converted into activated carbon by initial flash pyrolysis followed carbonization and CO2 activation. These residues were obtained from a pilot plant in Spain that produces biofuel, the biochar represented 10–15% in weight. It was observed that the highest activation was achieved at a temperature of 800 °C, the specific surface increased with time but, on the contrary, high loss of matter was observed. At 600 °C, although there was an important increase of the specific surface and the volume of micropores, at this temperature it was observed that the activation time was not an influential parameter. Finally, at 400 °C it was observed that the activation process was not very significant. Assessing the average pore diameter it was found that the lowest value corresponded to the activation temperature of 600 °C, which indicated the development of microporosity. When the activation temperature increase

On the penetration of particles through filters and masks.

El principal objetivo de este trabajo es la evaluación de la eficiencia de filtros y máscaras destinados a la protección de los trabajadores contra partículas sólidas respirables. Se ha diseñado un dispositivo que simula los ciclos respiratorios del ser humano de forma automática. Filtros y máscaras se ensayan en el interior de una cámara, en una atmósfera controlada, y se introducen partículas de polvo en suspensión en su interior. Las partículas de polvo pasan a través de los filtros y se toma una muestra en vía húmeda. Se toma una muestra de polvo después de pasar por los filtros y se compara con la inicial, en una forma cualitativa y cuantitativa, mediante gravimetría y difracción laser. Analizados los resultados, se ha observado una variabilidad significativa en la eficiencia de máscaras y filtros pertenecientes a una misma categoría, por lo que se han sugerido recomendaciones a la normativa actual