Comparison of the mechanical properties of different models of automotive engine mounting

Haval Kamal Asker

In this paper, a novel model was proposed to reduce the weight of the rib of the engine mounting. The suggested model is analyzed numerically and simulated using a computer program package (ANSYS 11) to perform the FEM computations. In addition, two more models for the engine mounting part have been and built and applied to the same boundary conditions as for the suggested model. The results of the stresses and deformations for the three models of the engine mount were compared to each other. The proposed model of the engine mount had a superior performance over the other the standard model in terms of weight reduction, whereas, 51.5% of the weight was reduced with the proposed model maintaining an acceptable level of yield stress.

Application of self-organizing map to intelligent analysis of cellular networks

Joseph M. Mom and Cosmas I. Ani

In this work, the efficacy and scalability of the self-organizing map (SOM) algorithm, which is a class of artificial neural network (ANN), over traditional methods of analyzing cellular network variables was shown using key performance indicators (KPIs) data collected from an operational network service provider in Nigeria. Performance trends of various cells over a period of time were evaluated and rules of significance measure extracted which could form the basis for network optimization.

Conceptual framework for complexity modeling of societal stress and biophysical resilience

The present study proposes the development of a complexity science-based analytical model of an integrated societal stress response to a disruptive event or a disaster. The methodology is based on the biological premise that individual human beings respond to stressors or any stimuli in variety of different ways. This individual human stress response is characterized by General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), which forms the basis for model development. This individual human stress response depends on the event (internal or external) and the level of resilience in each individual. The individual human stress responses are combined to form an aggregate stress response in different cohort groups, which provides a quantitative measure of emergent behavior within that group. The aggregate or collection of these cohort group stress responses is termed as Societal Stress Response (SSR). The emergent behavior at the societal level is modeled using two kinds of conceptual modeling approaches namely Constructal-Tree Approach and Agent-Based Method. These conceptual models could be implemented to predict how the aggregated stress responses translate into a mass socio-economic behavior (or buyer behavior) with the help of an appropriate modeling approach such as System Dynamics. The transient nature of the American society and the geographical diversity is addressed using the concept of biophysical resiliency with the aid of entropy and exergy concepts from thermodynamics. The United Nations and non-governmental organizations would greatly benefit from this conceptual framework to develop a multi-dimensional strategy to deal with the maladaptive behavior in different population groups during both man-made and natural disasters.

Okafor Henry Elochukwu, Farshid Attarhamed and Mohammad Joukarborazjany

Asphaltene are organic deposits which are originally in solution or colloidal suspension in the crude oil. Due to changes in the crude oil composition, temperature and pressure, asphaltene precipitates into distinctive solid phase after which it flocculates and deposit on rock surfaces and pores. Asphaltene deposition in the porous media causes damage to the formation. To evaluate formation damage due to asphaltene deposition, a computer program was developed to evaluate parametres such as permeability, porosity, skin factor and pressure within the damage region. Results from the evaluation indicate that asphaltene-induced formation damage is severe at the wellbore and less severe away from the wellbore. Analyzing the profiles generated from computer program for three scenarios; at the wellbore (0.29ft), near the wellbore (1ft) and away from the wellbore (10ft). Results showed that the effect of asphaltene deposition is less severe as the radial distance approaches the radius of asphaltene flocculation. It was observed that for an increasing flow rates asphaltene-induced formation, damage is severe at the wellbore but at reducing flow rates the severity of the damage is low thereby prolonging the production time prior to severe formation damage.

Jing Lu, Djebbar Tiab and Freddy H. Escobar

Abstract:

Beyond doubt, the productivity index is one of the most important key parameters in reservoir evaluation and characterization. It is a screening guide to establish the reservoir size, the presence on an aquifer and the connectivity degree. Thereby, its accurate determination is a challenge for engineers. This paper presents a productivity equation of a horizontal well in pseudo-steady state in a closed anisotropic box-shaped reservoir, using a uniform line sink model. A new equation for calculating pseudo skin factor due to partial penetration is also proposed. Compared with the equations for horizontal wells in pseudo-steady state in the literature, the new equations are more practical and easy to use in the field practice.

Performance test for lemon grass oil in twin cylinder diesel engine

S. Ashf Aque Ahmed, S. Prabhakar, Binu. K. Soloman and M. Irshad Ahmed

Abstract:

At present every country is facing two major challenges namely energy crisis and environmental degradation. Carrying need of the day is to mean fuel, more fuel and cheaper fuel. More over the growing use of petroleum fuels in the ever increasing number of automobiles is causing rapid degradation of environment in every country due to vehicle exhaust pollution. To meet this twin problem of fuel oil scarcity and air pollution caused by the growing use of petroleum fuel, alternate renewable clean burning fuel should be explored for using motor vehicles. Alternate fuel is very essential that of alternatives for the fossil fuels such as jatropha, pongamia, Lemon gram oil, etc. It has been found that now a day’s bio- diesel plays an important role in the automobile industry. My project aims at reducing the cost of the fuel consumers by blending the lemon gram oil with diesel with different proportions and testing the performance of blended diesel. The tests were carried out for raw lemon gram oil, 20% lemon gram oil, 40% lemon gram oil, 80% with diesel. The performance were studied and it is concluded that, the bending of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%  at room temperature gives better fuel consumption and also improves emission norms.

Influence of mix design methods on the compressive srength of concrete

Aginam C. H., Umenwaliri S. N. and Nwakire C.

Concrete mixes are designed to achieve a defined workability, strength and durability. The design is geared towards the selection and proportioning of constituents to produce a concrete with pre-defined characteristics both in fresh and hardened states. This study investigates the variation of concrete compressive strength with mix designed methods. Four common mix design methods were used namely: American Concrete Institute (ACI), Department of Environment (DOR), Road Note 4 (RN4) and CPIIO. The Ibeto brand of Portland cement was used in the research and a characteristic strength of 20N/mm² was designed for using the first four mix design methods. The concrete components used were tested for specific gravity; moisture content and grading were found suitable. Four sets of concrete cubes (150x150x150 mm) each were casted using four mix designs. Compressive strengths were evaluated at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of curing. The 28^th day strengths of the four sets of concrete were found to be 30.7 N/mm^2, 33.7 N/mm^2, 33.0 N/mm^2, and 35.1 N/mm² for ACI, DOE, RN4, and CP110 mix design methods respectively.

Development of scara manipulator with two degrees of freedom using dc motor

Sudha Ramasamy, Raghav V Sharma, Arko Chakraborty and Padma Thiagarajan

Abstract:

This paper details the construction of a Robotic Arm or manipulator with SCARA configuration and having DC Motors at its joints. There are two revolute joints present in the manipulator arm which helps the manipulator to be in RRP configuration. The DC Motors are given a pulse for a definite duration according to which they rotate by a certain angle.

Abstract:

The postharvest storage process is a highly nonlinear one involving heat and mass transfer. The need to capture these nonlinearities demands the use of intelligent models. In this study a neural network model (for a potato storage process) was normalized using the standard deviation technique and optimized through different combinations of network configurations. The optimum model had a mean squared error (MSE) value of 0.8314 and a coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.7347. In comparison to a previous study, where the network was based on the min-max method of normalization, the network provided a better representation of the storage process. The proposed model would be useful in simulation processes involving intelligent controllers.

Performance test for lemon grass oil in single cylinder diesel engines

Binu K. Soloman, S. Prabhakar, S. Ashf Aque Ahmed and C. Jagdeesh Vikram

Abstract:

Due to the concern on the availability of recoverable fossil fuel reserves and the environmental problems caused by the use those fossil fuels, considerable attention has been given to biodiesel production as an alternative to petrodiesel. The two most common types of biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel. However, as the biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils and animal fats, there are concerns that biodiesel feedstock may compete with food supply in the long-term. Hence, the recent focus is to find oil bearing plants that produce non-edible oils as the feedstock for biodiesel production. In this project, plant species, Lemon grass (Cymbopogan flexuosus) is discussed as newer sources of oil for biodiesel production. Lemongrass is native to India and tropical Asia. In India, it is cultivated along Western Ghats (Maharashtra, Kerala), Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states besides foot-hills of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim i.e., it can be cultivated on wide range throughout India and may favor easy availability. This study investigates the performance of Lemongrass oil and its blends as fuel for a CI engine. The data thus generated were compared with the data obtained using diesel. The engine exhibited a very good performance without any problem of combustion. It is suggested that, Lemongrass oil and its blends can be used as an alternate fuel for diesel engine.