An Influence of Thermally-Induced Micro-Cracking under Cooling Treatments: Mechanical Characteristics of Australian Granite

The aim of this study is to characterise the changes in mechanical properties and to provide a comprehensive micro-structural analysis of Harcourt granite over different pre-heating temperatures under two cooling treatments (1) rapid and (2) slow cooling. A series of uniaxial compression tests was conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of granite specimens subjected to pre-heating to temperatures ranging from 25–1000◦C under both cooling conditions. An acoustic emission (AE) system was incorporated to identify the fracture propagation stress thresholds. Furthermore, the effect of loading and unloading behaviour on the elastic properties of Harcourt granite was evaluated at two locations prior to failure: (1) crack initiation and (2) crack damage. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were conducted on heat-treated thin rock slices to observe the crack/fracture patterns and to quantify the extent of micro-cracking during intense heating followed by cooling. The results revealed that the thermal field induced in the Harcourt granite pore structure during heating up to 100◦C followed by cooling causes cracks to close, resulting in increased mechanical characteristics, in particular, material stiffness and strength. Thereafter, a decline in mechanical properties occurs with the increase of pre-heating temperatures from 100◦C to 800◦C. However, the thermal deterioration under rapid cooling is much higher than that under slow cooling, because rapid cooling appears to produce a significant amount of micro-cracking due to the irreversible thermal shock induced. Multiple stages of loading and unloading prior to failure degrade the elastic properties of Harcourt granite due to the damage accumulated through the coalescence of micro-cracks induced during compression loading. However, this degradation is insignificant for pre-heating temperatures over 400◦C, since the specimens are already damaged due to excessive thermal deterioration. Moreover, unloading after crack initiation tends to cause insignificant irreversible strains, whereas significant permanent strains occur during unloading after crack damage, and this appears to increase with the increase of pre-heating temperature over 400

IIT-H, Monash university analysis moots geothermal energy

An extensive analysis by the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H) and Monash University, Australia, has led researchers to suggest that geothermal energy (using earth’s heat to generate power) is better than photovoltaic energy, in terms of carbon dioxide emissions

Geothermal Power Corridor- connecting the Middle East Countries

The Middle East economy and life depend on imports, be it food, water, or energy, despite each country in the region having enormous energy resources to exploit and reduce dependency on countries outside the region and develop a socioeconomic model of regional cooperation and synergy. An estimated 371 TWh of electricity available from geothermal energy resources can be utilized by these countries to support basic needs and be free from food-energy-water imports by sharing their energy resources. The total amount of CO2 emissions from these countries is currently 945 x 106 kg, so these countries can further earn about 92 million euros from carbon savings, by using geothermal energy along this corridor. This amount can be utilized for augmenting the energy supply from geothermal sources. In this work, the available geothermal resources are evaluated, and suggestions are made how this energy can be best utilized for peaceful existence and cooperation in the region

Reaction of β-oxodithioesters with propargylamine: a facile entry to novel 2-(acylalkylidene)-5-(methylene)thiazolidines

Reaction of β-oxodithioesters derived from acyclic and cyclic ketones with propargylamine affords novel 2-(acylalkylidene)-5-(methylene)-thiazolidines in high yields by intramolecular nucleophilic attack of thiocarbonyl sulfur on the triple bond of the β-oxo-N-propargylthioamide intermediates

Water footprint study by IIT Hyderabad under HMDA region

The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) researchers, after having undertaken a study of water footprint in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), found that agriculture accounts for nearly 70 per cent consumption of ‘physical’ water, in what is known as the ‘Green water footprint’

Farm sector uses 70% water, says IIT Hyderabad research

The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) researchers, after having undertaken a study of water footprint in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), found that agriculture accounts for nearly 70 per cent consumption of ‘physical’ water, in what is known as the ‘Green water footprint’

IIT study examines city’s hidden water guzzlers

The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) researchers, after having undertaken a study of water footprint in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), found that agriculture accounts for nearly 70 per cent consumption of ‘physical’ water, in what is known as the ‘Green water footprint’

Quantifying the water footprint of an urban agglomeration in developing economy

Sustainable conservation of natural resources has become a primary concern for urban cities, globally as they are centers of consumption and economy. Due to population growth, cities depend more on imports of food, energy, water, and services from all over the globe, and consume more virtual water than direct water, because of their food habits and lifestyle. Most of the imported goods are water intensive and pose challenges in tracing the source of virtual water. The goal of this research is to develop a general framework to assess the water footprint (WF) of a typical city in India using existing databases. A consumer-centric approach has been adopted for assessing WF in Hyderabad Metro Development Area (HMDA). The variation of the WF across economic classes of consumers is also analyzed. The WF is estimated based on four broad categories: 1) food consumption, 2) fossil fuels based energy, 3) electric power, and 4) direct water. Average WF of HMDA region is 1041 m3/cap/year (2852 LPCD), in which 70% (1986 LPCD) of WF was consumed by food, 25% (744 LPCD) by electric power, only 4% (121 LPCD) is from direct water consumption and surprisingly the contribution from fossil fuel WF to total per capita WF of HMDA area is less than 1%