NOPR Collection:

Effect of Predigestion Process Modifications on VFA Enhancement and Overall Biogas Conversion from Kitchen Solid Waste

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Effect of Predigestion Process Modifications on VFA Enhancement and Overall Biogas Conversion from Kitchen Solid Waste Authors: Magdum, S S; Adhyapak, U S; Minde, G P; Bornare, J B; Kalyanraman, V Abstract: The bioprocessing methodology of predigester has been modified to optimize the kitchen solid waste processing for enhanced biogas production. The batch and semi-batch study of bioprocess modification in the predigester by adding Candida sp. to acetogenic predigester culture with controlled aeration (micro-aerobic) has shown the enhancement in volatile fatty acid (VFA) in predigestion. The study of pilot plant which was operated with 24 - 30 days of hydraulic retention time (HRT) with average rate of feeding was 67-82 kg-wet/day. The experiment resulted with average volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration of 25.41 g/l enhanced from 18.04 g/l in predigestion and ultimately average biogas production increased to 16.23 m³/day from 6.76 m³/day. The efficiency of biogas production per unit feed processed was enhanced from 0.099 m³/kg-wet to 0.2 m³/kg-wet. The present study of waste to energy technology offers a promising decentralized alternative for organic solids/ food waste utilization for enhanced biogas production. Page(s): 574-582

Screening of Desi Cotton (G.Arboreum) Suitable for Surgical Properties

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Screening of Desi Cotton (G.Arboreum) Suitable for Surgical Properties Authors: Meena, R A; Monga, D; Venugopalan, M V; Ahuja, S L; Sahay, R Abstract: Among 40 G. arboreum cultivars evaluated for surgical properties during 2011-12 and 2012-13 at CICR, regional station, Sirsa, fifteen cultivars were identified with excellent inherent properties for surgical cotton better than the Indian Pharmacopia Standards for surgical properties. The superior cultivars for absorbency were hybrid CICR 2 (1.0 sec) followed by CISA 17-93 (1.1 sec) and HD 432 (1.1 sec); for water holding capacity cultivars CISA 310 (28.1 g), HD 123 (27.3 g) and hybrid CICR 2 (27.1 g); for sinking time the cultivars were LD 694 (1.2 sec) followed by CISA 17-93 (1.3 sec) and hybrid CICR 2 (1.4 sec); for lowest ash content cultivars were AC 36-31(0.25 %) followed by LD 327 (0.28%) and CISA 6-256; for minimum water soluble substances cultivars were CISA-6-256 (0.26 g), RG 540 (0.27 g) and LD 327 (0.28 g). All the identified cultivars did not show any response with acidity/alkalinity. The yield was significantly higher in hybrid CICR 2 (35.2 qtl), CISA 17-93 (31.0 qtl) and CISA 6-295 (27.0 qtl). The promising lines with high yield in combination of superiority for absorbent properties were hybrid CICR 2 followed by varieties CISA 17-93, CISA 614, LD694, and HD 432. These can be promoted among the farmers for higher yield and profitability and also to provide the raw materials for reviving the surgical cotton industry. Page(s): 570-573

Culture Viability, Commercial Scale Cultivation and Shelf Life Studies on the Silver-silk Straw Mushroom, Volvariella bombycina

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Culture Viability, Commercial Scale Cultivation and Shelf Life Studies on the Silver-silk Straw Mushroom, Volvariella bombycina Authors: Ahlawat, O P; Sinha, P; Singh, M Abstract: The study covers viability of mycelial cultures and mycolytic enzymes activity in six strains of three different species of straw mushroom on storage at 4±2 °C, yield optimization and nutritional analysis of silver-silk straw mushroom, Volvariella bombycina vis-à-vis Chinese straw mushroom V. volvacea and shelf life of V. bombycina fruit bodies on storage at 4±2 °C. V. bombycina exhibited highest viability of mycelial cultures (76 days), followed by a strain of Volvopluteus earlei (50 days), which coincided with highest activity of protease and lowest of N-acetyl-ß-glucosaminidase. Highest sporocarp yield was obtained from beds of 12 and 18 kg capacity prepared out of composted substrate of paddy straw + cotton ginning mill waste (1:1, w/w). V. bombycina exhibited acceptable keeping quality up to 7 days of storage at 4±2 °C with slight changes in weight (-5.80%) and nutritional attributes (± 4.17 to 6.95 %), which makes it a good choice for industrial scale cultivation. Page(s): 562-569

Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays Using Bacteria Foraging Algorithm

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays Using Bacteria Foraging Algorithm Authors: Adhikari, S; Sinha, N Abstract: Optimal setting in relay coordination of Directional overcurrent relay (DOCR) is a major challenge for protection engineers. This paper throws light on the application of Bacteria Foraging Algorithm (BFA) in solving problems related to coordination of directional overcurrent relays. The Time Dial Setting (TDS) and pick up current setting or plug setting (I_p) act as decision variables of each relay. The objective function for optimal coordination of the relays is to minimize the summation of operating times of all the primary relays, responding to clear the faults of their corresponding zones. In this study three models are considered namely IEEE 3-bus model, IEEE 4-bus model and IEEE 6-bus model. The results show that the proposed algorithm is competent and efficient to solve such non-linear problems. Page(s): 557-561