NOPR Collection:

Development of Sustainable Thermo Acoustic Material from Residual Organic Wastes

2022-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Development of Sustainable Thermo Acoustic Material from Residual Organic Wastes Authors: Singh, Priyanka Priyadarsini; Nath, Ganeswar Abstract: Non-destructive technique such as ultrasonic processing employed for surface modification of corn husk which changes the interfacial as well as skeletal arrangement in interlocking of fibres with polymer chain. Investigations were carried out on the organic waste obtained from the corn husk with characterization technique such as Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) has been employed for surface analysis and study of compositional change in the modified fibre and composite material. Tensile strength of single corn husk fibre before and after surface treatment was observed to be increasing from 332.57 MPa to 345.16 MPa which confirms the strong fibrillation due to surface treatment. Further acoustic performance of the composite reveals that treated composite has a potential to absorb 94% of sound which makes it a class - A type sound absorberas per ASTME 1154 standard. The enhanced physical, mechanical, acoustic and thermal properties of corn husk-epoxy composite confirm their suitability as potential smart sound-absorbing material. Page(s): 215-225

Prioritization of Operational Risks in a Reverse Logistics Network for the Recovery of Waste Cooking Oil (WCO)

2022-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Prioritization of Operational Risks in a Reverse Logistics Network for the Recovery of Waste Cooking Oil (WCO) Authors: Insuasty-Reina, Jeniffer Guadalupe; Tascón-Rueda, Juan Alejandro; Osorio-Gómez, Juan Carlos Abstract: Reverse logistics networks for Waste Cooking Oil (WCO) have recently taken on great importance, due to legal requirements, cost-benefit considerations as well as social and environmental responsibility. Companies that manage WCO collection, transport and storage processes in these networks are prone to face various operational risks (such as oil spills, thefts, accidents, fires, among others). Recent studies have also shown that an inadequate management of these risks may generate not only a network disruption, but also lead to a loss of materials, time and money. Taking this issue into consideration, this work carries out the characterization of the focused network and subsequently an identification of operational risks in each process. Finally, the risks are prioritized by applying the Fuzzy-QFD tool, considering their impact on the strategic objectives of the processes, obtaining a priority ranking that provides WCO recovery companies with an essential basis for directing their risk mitigation actions. Page(s): 226-235

Musk Rose (Rosa moschata) Grown at Middle Hill Climatic Conditions of the Western Himalayas: A Rich Source of Anti-Oxidants and Nutrients

2022-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Musk Rose (Rosa moschata) Grown at Middle Hill Climatic Conditions of the Western Himalayas: A Rich Source of Anti-Oxidants and Nutrients Authors: Patade, Vikas Yadav; Guglani, Anchala; Pandey, Hemant Kumar; Bala, Madhu Abstract: Musk rose (Rosa moschata) is an important wild aromatic climbing shrub of Rosaceae family. Scant scientific information is available on phyto-chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the Himalayan plant. Here we report, nutrient compositions, antioxidant constituents and activities of the different plant parts like leaves, petals, and rest of the flower parts of musk rose. Chlorophyll pigments and carotenoids contents were significantly higher in the mature leaves (2113.1 and 125.2 mg/g fresh weight respectively). The mature leaves also contained significantly higher amount of ascorbic acid (227.0 mg/100g) followed by the dried petals (141.6 mg/100g). The total antioxidant activity, determined based on ABTS and DPPH free radical scavenging ability, was higher in the hydro-alcoholic extracts from dried petals, dried flowers and mature leaves than that in the other parts. Analysis of the extracts from the dried petals revealed significantly higher contents of phenolics (62.9 mg/g), flavonoids (23.7 mg/g), tannins (133.8 mg/g), total carbohydrates (191.6 mg/g) and soluble protein (49.3 mg/g). The mature leaves were found to be the next richer sources for these nutrients. Correlation analysis revealed positive correlation of total antioxidant activities and the antioxidant constituents of the plant extract suggesting contribution of these compounds to the higher antioxidant activities. Thus, the phyto-chemical composition analyses suggest dried petals and mature leaves as potential natural sources of the nutrients and antioxidants. The study may further enhance utility of the Himalayan plant as source for preparing alternative natural medicines and functional foods. Page(s): 236-243

Sensor-based Automated Continuous Grader for Spherical Fruits

2022-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Sensor-based Automated Continuous Grader for Spherical Fruits Authors: Selvan, Shilpa S; Edukondalu, L; Kumar, A Ashok; Madhava, M Abstract: Weight grading is capable of more scrupulous separation than dimensional grading and reduces labor cost, damage, time, and power demand and also improves grading efficiency and accuracy. Hence a low-cost sensor-based grader for spherical fruits was developed and evaluated. The developed grader comprises of fruit feeding tray, fruit controlling shaft with gate arrangement, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), mainframe, belt conveyor, power transmission system, and collection baskets. The ECU consists of a load cell to sense the weight of the fruit, an amplifier to amplify the sensor data, a microcontroller to process the sensor signal and activate the corresponding motor and servo motors to push the fruit towards the basket by activating lever mounted on it. The machine is capable of weighing and grading the fruits into four different grades (grade I: >150 g, grade II: 130–150 g, grade III: 110–130 g and grade IV: <110 g), however, the grades can be altered as per the need by uploading in the program via USB cable. The grader was evaluated in terms of efficiency of grading, capacity and mechanical damage to the fruits at grader speeds of 3, 4, 5, and 6 rpm, respectively. The capacity of grader varied from 47.32 to 156.13 kg/h under different grader speeds. The developed grader is easy to operate and it doesn’t require skilled persons. It can be used for any spherical fruits and varying grades by changing the threshold values in the controller. Page(s): 244-253