Augmenting natural convection and conduction based solar dryer

[EN] Solar conduction dryer (SCD) is a unique technology that uses conduction, convection and radiation mechanism of heat transfer making it one of the most efficient drying system. The SCD is one of the most effective piece of equipment’s designed indigenously and it has tremendous potential to capitalize in erstwhile nations of tropical and torrid region where there is abundance of solar insolation. SCD, the most cost-effective dryer which runs on no electricity has already made inroads in the global market. In the present study, CFD studies were carried out for a given geometry and the corresponding boundary conditions.Chavan, A.; Sikarwar, A.; Tidke, V.; Thorat, B. (2018). Augmenting natural convection and conduction based solar dryer. En IDS 2018. 21st International Drying Symposium Proceedings. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1357-1364. https://doi.org/10.4995/IDS2018.2018.7813OCS1357136

Hepatoprotective effect of Phytosome Curcumin against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in mice

Abstract Curcuma longa, which contains curcumin as a major constituent, has been shown many pharmacological effects, but it is limited using in clinical due to low bioavailability. In this study, we developed a phytosome curcumin formulation and evaluated the hepatoprotective effect of phytosome curcumin on paracetamol induced liver damage in mice. Phytosome curcumin (equivalent to curcumin 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) and curcumin (200 mg/kg body weight) were given by gastrically and toxicity was induced by paracetamol (500 mg/kg) during 7 days. On the final day animals were sacrificed and liver function markers (ALT, AST), hepatic antioxidants (SOD, CAT and GPx) and lipid peroxidation in liver homogenate were estimated. Our data showed that phytosome has stronger hepatoprotective effect compared to curcumin-free. Administration of phytosome curcumin effectively suppressed paracetamol-induced liver injury evidenced by a reduction of lipid peroxidation level, and elevated enzymatic antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase in mice liver tissue. Our study suggests that phytosome curcumin has strong antioxidant activity and potential hepatoprotective effects

Design and fabrication of quick responsive and highly sensitive LPG sensor using ZnO/SnO₂ heterostructured film

Abstract Highly efficient LPG sensor working at room temperature was developed using a simple and cost-effective route. For this purpose, ZnO/SnO2 heterostructure was synthesized using the hydrothermal route and thin films of the material were prepared. X-ray Diffraction revealed all the crystal parameters including grain size, texture coefficient, dislocation densities, surface area which are necessary for a sensor. Also, particle size, zeta potential, and conductivity were observed using nanozetasizer. Heterojunctions at the surface of the film were viewed by Scanning electron microscopy. An optical band-gap of ∼3.85 eV was measured using UV–vis absorption spectrum. Further, the film was used as room ambient sensor for different concentrations of LPG. Among them, the best sensor response and sensitivity of 276.51 and 3.78 respectively were obtained for 2.0 vol% of LPG whereas minimum response and recovery time of 10 s and 15 s were obtained for 0.5 vol% of LPG.</jats:p

Design and fabrication of quick responsive and highly sensitive LPG sensor using ZnO/SnO2 heterostructured film

Highly efficient LPG sensor working at room temperature was developed using a simple and cost-effective route. For this purpose, ZnO/SnO _2 heterostructure was synthesized using the hydrothermal route and thin films of the material were prepared. X-ray Diffraction revealed all the crystal parameters including grain size, texture coefficient, dislocation densities, surface area which are necessary for a sensor. Also, particle size, zeta potential, and conductivity were observed using nanozetasizer. Heterojunctions at the surface of the film were viewed by Scanning electron microscopy. An optical band-gap of ∼3.85 eV was measured using UV–vis absorption spectrum. Further, the film was used as room ambient sensor for different concentrations of LPG. Among them, the best sensor response and sensitivity of 276.51 and 3.78 respectively were obtained for 2.0 vol% of LPG whereas minimum response and recovery time of 10 s and 15 s were obtained for 0.5 vol% of LPG

Thermo-hydraulic analysis of a solar cogeneration air-heater

Abstract The requirement of energy becomes utmost essential for sustainability of modern societies and for future growth of economy and industries. The ever-increased demand of energy has put tremendous pressure on conventional energy resources which are already been stretched to its limit. The renewable energy resources especially solar energy being a viable and sustainable source of energy has acclaimed a wide attention as prominent substitute to conventional energy sources. Among these, the utility of solar air heater is yet to be explored fully. SAH has a number of applications namely drying of aquatic products, drying of crops, room heating and other industrial applications. However, the drawbacks of SAH are weather and time dependency, need of large heat transfer area and a large volume flow of air due to depressing heat transfer coefficient of air. To mitigate the aforementioned problems, a double-glazed double-pass SAH system is proposed and tested theoretically. The focus of the recommended system is to minimize the factors which reduce the performance of the conventional SAH. A comparative study is done between the double-glazed DPSAH system with and without roughness.</jats:p

Modelling and Analysis of Factors Affecting Moist Air Condensation on Mesh Like Surface for Sustainable Water Harvesting

Moist air condensation is a complex process because it relies on numerous significant parameters such as physio-chemical properties of a surface, thermal-physical properties of the moist air, and environmental conditions. Thus, the manuscript intent to structure the model-framework of sustainable water harvesting based on moist air condensation on mesh-like surfaces to increase the availability of potable water. Hence, the significant key factors related to sustainable water harvesting via condensation are identified from extant literature, consultation from researchers, and practitioners and subsequently confirmed by fabricating the experimental setup. Further than, an attempt by applying Total Interpretive Structural Modelling (TISM) is attained to provide a model framework. Thereafter, the procedure for analysis using MICMAC is implemented which performed to categorize the identified factors into the distinct clusters’ dependent on their driving and dependence powers to justify their interrelationship with one another. The research reveals that surface coating, mesh geometry, and material of condensing surface are the most dominant factor in the required hierarchy which helps in improving the condensation rate. Thus, the prioritization of the factors with improvisation intends to fill the gap for scalable, economic, sustainable, and environment-friendly condensation in various fields. This research work can be benefited to the industry to the area of water harvesting and energy conservation. Also, the researchers can consider the most influential factors identified in this research while fabricating experimental setups.</jats:p