Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

The Plasma Electrolysis Phenomenon In A Two-Compartment Reactor For Chlor-Alkali Production, Nelson Saksono, Fakhrian Abqari, Setijo Bismo

Makara Journal of Technology

Chlor-alkali is one of the most important processes in the chemical industry. It produces chlorine and caustic soda, which become the main feedstock of daily products. The aim of this study is to report the phenomenon of plasma electrolysis and how it can be used in chlor-alkali production for more efficient energy consumption. When the plasma is formed, the current fluctuates and gradually declines. Plasma electrolysis begins with the process of electrolysis itself. Due to Joule heating, gas bubbles are formed and a sheath is made on both electrodes, resulting in the plasma field. Plasma electrolysis can be identified by …

Observation Of Photovoltaic Effect And Single-Photon Detection In Nanowire Silicon Pn-Junction, Arief Udhiarto, Sri Purwiyanti, Daniel Moraru, Takeshi Mizuno, Michiharu Tabe

Makara Journal of Technology

We study nanowire silicon pin and pn-junctions at room and low temperature. Photovoltaic effects are observed for both devices at room temperature. At low temperature, nanowire pn-junction devices show their ability to detect single photon. This ability was not been observed for pin devices. Phosphorus-boron dopant cluster in the depletion region is considered to have the main role for single-photon detection capability. Fundamental mechanism of dopant-based single-photon detection in nanowire pn-junction is described in details.

Influences Of Surface Morphology Of Nanostructured Rutile Tio2 Nanorods/Nanoflowers As Photoelectrode On The Performance Of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell, Mohd Khairul Bin Ahmad, Kenji Murakami

Makara Journal of Technology

Aligned Rutile TiO2 nanorods (r-TNRs) and TiO2 nanoflowers (r-TNFs) were successfully prepared by hydrothermal method. Using hydrochloric acid (HCl) as chelating agent and titanium butoxide (TBOT) as precursor, aligned r-TNRs with r-TNFs were successfully growth onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) with different morphologies. The influences of surface morphologies to the rutile based Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) efficiency are discussed. The highest lightto- electric energy conversion efficiency, 1.80% is achieved using different concentration under simulated solar light illumination of 100 mWcm-2 (1.5 AM).

Improvement In Performance Of Zno Based Dsc Prepared By Spraying Method, Rangga Winantyo, Devinda Liyanage, Kenji Murakami

Makara Journal of Technology

This paper reports the effect of TiCl4 on the performance of ZnO based DSC. ZnO was used due to its stability against photo-corrosion and photochemical properties similar to TiO2. Thin films of nanocrystalline ZnO were deposited on transparent conducting oxide glass using spray method. The ZnO films were treated using TiCl4. The cell’s efficiency was found to be 2.5% with TiCl4 post-treatment and 1.9% without TiCl4 post-treatment.

Determining The Air Gap Length Of An Axial Flux Wound Rotor Synchronous Generator, Abdul Multi, Iwa Garniwa, Uno Bintang Sudibyo

Makara Journal of Technology

The air gap length of the designed axial flux wound rotor (AFWR) synchronous generator is determined properly according to the design parameters. One of the distinct advantages of an axial flux (AF) machine is its adjustable air gap. An AF generator’s performance might be controlled by adjusting its air gap. The designed generator has a smallscale capacity that has 1 kW, 380 V, and 50 Hz. The windings are laid into slots made from laminated core. The slots are carved in the face of the stator and rotors. The generator has a single-double-sided slotted wound stator sandwiched between twin rotors. …

Production Optimization For Plan Of Gas Field Development Using Marginal Cost Analysis, Suprapto Soemardan, Widodo Wahyu Purwanto, Arsegianto Arsegianto

Makara Journal of Technology

Gas production rate is one of the most important variables affecting the feasibility plan of gas field development. It take into account reservoir characteristics, gas reserves, number of wells, production facilities, government take and market conditions. In this research, a mathematical model of gas production optimization has been developed using marginal cost analysis in determining the optimum gas production rate for economic profit, by employing the case study of Matindok Field. The results show that the optimum gas production rate is mainly affected by gas price duration and time of gas delivery. When the price of gas increases, the optimum …

Development Of Hydrodynamic Channel Routing Model Of The Lower Rio Grande River To Assist In Flood And Stormwater Management, Andrew W. Leeper

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Flooding and stormwater management of the Lower Rio Grande River (LRG) has become a major issue throughout the years with local entities along the river. The purpose of this study is to develop a hydrodynamic channel routing model to predict water surface elevation changes due to flooding. The study area consists of the LRG from Los Ebanos to Brownsville, Texas. This hydrodynamic model displays the hydraulics of the water flow through the LRG and determines where potential flood hazards exist. To verify the accuracy of the model a series of calculated output hydrographs were established at the Progreso Bridge and …

A Comparative Analysis Of Energy Modelingmethods For Commercial Buildings, Spencer Mark Salmon

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis researched the accuracy of measured energy data in comparison to estimated hand calculation data and estimated building energy performance simulation data. In the facility management industry, there is minimal evidence that building energy performance software is being used as a benchmark against measured energy usage within a building. Research was conducted to find examples of measured energy data compared to simulated data. The study examined the accuracy of a simulation software and hand calculations to measured energy data. Data suggests that comparisons may be made between building energy performance simulated data and measured data, though comparisons are solely …

The Effect Of Microencapsulated Phase-Change Material On The Compressive Strength Of Structural Concrete, Chad Norvell, David J. Sailor, Peter Dusicka

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Latent heat energy storage through phase-change materials (PCMs) is one possible strategy to control interior temperatures in buildings, improve thermal comfort, and passively reduce building energy use associated with heating and cooling. While PCMs integrated into building structure elements have been studied since the 1970s, challenges of integrating PCMs into building materials while maintaining their heat storage benefits have limited their application in practice. The recent introduction of microencapsulated phase-change materials provides the energy storage capability of PCMs in micron-scale, chemically-inert capsules that can be easily integrated into composite materials such as gypsum wallboard and concrete. The size and physical …

Improvement Of Hydraulic Press For Vegetable Oil Expression In Rural Areas, I. P. Bateebe

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Cultivation of oil producing crops especially Jatropha and croton as source of vegetable oil for biodiesel production is being encouraged in rural areas. To recover oil from seed, manual press is the feasible method in rural areas where there is no electricity. Research was conducted to improve hydraulic oil press machine for rural application. Factors affecting oil recovery were found to be: moisture content of seeds, operating pressure, seed oil content, and the amount of seeds pressed per batch. Percentage oil recovery was improved by reducing diameter of press cylinder, hence increasing expression pressure, and either reducing amount of seed …

Reliability-Based Design Optimization Of Concrete Flexural Members Reinforced With Ductile Frp Bars, Bashar Behnam, Christopher D. Eamon

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research Publications

In recent years, ductile hybrid FRP (DHFRP) bars have been developed for use as tensile reinforcement. However, initial material costs regain high, and it is difficult to simultaneously meet strength, stiffness, ductility, and reliability demands. In this study, a reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) is conducted to determine minimum cost DHFRP bar configurations while enforcing essential constraints. Applications for bridge decks and building beams are considered, with 2, 3, and 4-material bars. It was found that optimal bar configuration has little variation for the different applications, and that overall optimized bar cost decreased as the number of bar materials increased.

Residential Fire Sprinkler Design For The Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity House, Nolan Frost

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project discusses the design of a residential fire sprinkler system for a local fraternity house. The design follows NFPA 13D code, and contains design calculations, design drawings, material specifications, and cost analysis. The design was completed with the intention of being used for the installation of a fire sprinkler system in the house.

College Of Engineering Senior Design Competition Spring 2013, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Fred and Harriet Cox Senior Design Competition Projects

Senior Design Experience

Part of every UNLV engineering student's academic experience, the Senior Design project stimulates engineering innovation and entrepreneurship. Each student in their senior year chooses, plans, designs and prototypes a product in this required element of the curriculum. Working in teams, the senior design project encourages students to use everything learned in the engineering and computer design programs to create a practical, real world solution to an engineering challenge.

Beyond the classroom ...

Because of the requirement to work in teams, students also build good communication skills, presentation skills and even business writing skills. They also have to …

Vulnerability Of Progressive Collapse In Reinforced Concrete Flat-Plate Buildings, Jinrong Liu

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

• Progressive collapse is the spread of initial local failure, causing partial or
  even total collapse of a building.
• Flat plate structure is widely used for office and residential buildings.
• There is a large inventory of older flat plate building without continuous slab bottom reinforcement through columns.
• Limited knowledge exists regarding the risk of disproportionate collapse in
  older flat-plates under sudden column removal during abnormal events.
• Reliable mechanical model is needed for structural evaluation.

Assessment Of Solar Photovoltaic Technologies Using Multiple Perspectives And Hierarchical Decision Modeling, Nasir Jamil Sheikh

Dissertations and Theses

The objective of this research is to build a decision model for a comprehensive assessment of solar photovoltaic technologies using multiple perspectives. These perspectives include: social, technological, economic, environmental, and political (STEEP) with each perspective consisting of multiple criteria. Hierarchical decision modeling and expert judgment quantification are used to provide the relative ranking of the perspectives and criteria. Such modeling is effective in addressing technology evaluations with competing and contrasting perspectives and criteria where both quantitative and qualitative measurements are represented. The model is then operationalized by constructing desirability functions for each criterion. The combined results provide an overall numerical …

Biodiesel Reactor Design With Glycerol Separation To Increase Biodiesel Production Yield, Budy Rahmat, Imas Siti Setiasih, Roni Kastaman

Makara Journal of Technology

The study consisted of reactor design used for transesterification process, effect of glycerol separation on transesterification reaction, determination of biodiesel quality, and mass balance analysis. The reactor was designed by integrating circulated pump/stirrer, static mixer, and sprayer that intensify the reaction in the outer tank reactor. The objective was to reduce the use of methanol in excess and to shorten the processing time. The results showed that the reactor that applied the glycerol separation was able to compensate for the decreased use of the reactant methanol from 6:1 to 5:1 molar ratio, and changed the mass balance in the product, …

Development Of Seebeck-Coefficient Measurement Systems Using Kelvin-Probe Force Microscopy, Kazutoshi Miwa, Faiz Salleh, Hiroya Ikeda

Makara Journal of Technology

Thermoelectric device is investigated by a number of researchers in order to enhance the thermoelectric efficiency. It is known that the efficiency can be improved by quantum effect. However, it is difficult to measure the thermoelectric characteristics of nanometer-scale structures. Thus a new measurement method is expected to be developed. We propose to apply Kelvin-probe force microscopy (KFM) to characterization of thermoelectric materials. KFM can locally observe surface potential of Fermi energy of a sample without touching the sample surface. In the present paper, we estimate the Seebeck coefficient of thin Si-on-insulator layers using KFM.

Agricultural Drought Pattern In West Java Using Thermal Vegetation Index From Modis-Terra Satellite, Dini Daruati, Rahmatulloh Rahmatulloh, Sri Hardiyanti Purwadhi

Makara Journal of Technology

This study examines agricultural drought paddy fields in West Java. The aims of this research are to know the pattern and distribution of paddy field drought in West Java and the correlation between drought and the physical characteristics. The agricultural drought is obtained from TVI (Thermal Vegetation Index) model. TVI is derived from MODIS Terra satellite image, which is the ratio between the LST (Land Surface Temperature) and EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index). Physical factors studied are rainfall, l slope, geomorphology, soil drainage, and irrigation areas. The most severe drought occurred in September 2006 because of El Nino, covering 806,564 ha, …

Growth Of Crsi2 Nanostructures Using Crcl2 Powder On Si Substrates, Wen Li, Meng Erchao, Tomoji Matsushita, Shingo Oda, Daisuke Ishikawa, Kaito Nakane, Hirokazu Tatsuoka

Makara Journal of Technology

Chromium disilicide (CrSi2) nanostructures were grown by the exposure of Si (111) substrates to CrCl2 vapor in an argon gas flow at atmospheric pressure without using any metal catalyst. Dependence of the growth condition on the structural property was investigated. Hexagonal-shaped CrSi2 microrods were grown at 750 °C with 0.05 g of CrCl2. As the quantity of CrCl2 increased to 0.1 g, the bundle of CrSi2 nanowires with microrods and web-liked CrSi2 nanostructure with turning angles were grown at 750 °C and 700 °C, respectively. The preliminary discussion on the growth mechanism of CrSi2 micro- and nanostructures was carried out.

Biological Pretreatment Of Oil Palm Frond Fiber Using White-Rot Fungi For Enzymatic Saccharification, Euis Hermiati, Sita Heris Anita, Lucky Risanto, Dyah Styarini, Yanni Sudiyani, Achmad Hanafi, Haznan Abimanyu

Makara Journal of Technology

Oil palm frond is one type of lignocellulosic biomass abundantly and daily available in Indonesia. It contains cellulose which can be converted to glucose, and further processed to produce different kinds of value –added products. The aim of this research is to study the effects of biological pretreatment of oil palm frond (OPF) fiber using Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Trametes versicolor on the enzymatic saccharification of the biomass. The OPF fiber (40-60 mesh sizes) was inoculated with cultures of the two fungi and incubated at 27 °C for 4 weeks. The samples were taken after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks …

Electromagnetic Simulation For Thz Antenna-Coupled Microbolometers Operated At Room Temperature, Makoto Aoki, Masanori Takeda, Norihisa Hiromoto

Makara Journal of Technology

Room-temperature terahertz (THz) detectors with higher performance are necessary for utilizing the THz wave in various sensing, spectroscopy and imaging, but even the best ones in the present are still insufficient for the practical applications. This issue is essential especially in the region around 1 THz at which there exists a large technology gap between microwave and middle-infrared. Therefore, we study to develop an antenna-coupled microbolometer to achieve a high-performance THz detector operated at a room-temperature for sensing at around 1 THz frequency wave. In this paper, we present several important features and results obtained from electromagnetic simulations, which help …

Analysis Of Hole Lifetime In Soi Mosfet Single-Photon Detector, Dedy Septono Catur Putranto, Wei Du, Hiroaki Satoh, Atsushi Ono, Purnomo Sidi Priambodo, Djoko Hartanto, Hiroshi Inokawa

Makara Journal of Technology

Hole lifetime in the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) singlephoton detector was evaluated by the analysis of drain current histograms for different light intensities and substrate voltages. It was found that the peaks in the histogram corresponding to the larger number of stored holes grew as the gate bias decreased. This was attributed not to the increased light absorption efficiency or collection efficiency of the photo-generated holes, but to the prolonged hole lifetime presumably caused by the higher transverse electric field inside the body of SOI MOSFET.

Recognition System Of Indonesia Sign Language Based On Sensor And Artificial Neural Network, Endang Supriyati, Mohammad Iqbal

Makara Journal of Technology

Sign language as a kind of gestures is one of the most natural ways of communication for most people in deaf community. The aim of the sign language recognition is to provide a translation for sign gestures into meaningful text or speech so that communication between deaf and hearing society can easily be made. In this research, the Indonesian sign language recognition system based on flex sensors and an accelerometer is developed. This recognition system uses a sensory glove to capture data. The sensor data that are processed into feature vector are the 5-fingers bending and the palm acceleration when …

Performance Optimization Of Microbial Fuel Cell (Mfc) Using Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Rita Arbianti, Tania Surya Utami, Heri Hermansyah, Deni Novitasari, Ester Kristin, Ira Trisnawati

Makara Journal of Technology

Electrical energy needs in Indonesia are expected to continue to rise. The use of petroleum as a source of energy still dominates, although oil reserves in Indonesia are increasingly being depleted. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative sources of sustainable energy, such as microbial fuel cell (MFC). In this study, Lactobacillus bulgaricus was used as an electricity producer in a dual-chamber MFC reactor. We investigated the maximum electrical energy by varying the bacterial optical density (OD), the operational time of MFC, the reactor volume, the electrolyte solution, and the configuration of MFC reactor. In this study, the maximum …

Starch Resin Moisture Level Effect On Injection Molding Processability And Molded Part Mechanical Properties With Pure Starch Resin And Polymer Blends, Jordan M. Ellingson

Theses and Dissertations

The current and forecasted global consumption of plastic packaging and products through the 21st century combined with the already reported and growing negative impact of plastics on the environment due to plastics being synthesized from nonrenewable resources that do not biodegrade is of serious concern. However, recent advances in starch technology including the development of thermoplastic starch (TPS) materials —polymers that are both renewable and biodegradable—have brought hope to reducing this impact. The mechanical properties of thermoplastic starch have often been improved by blending with synthetic polymers. One issue that arises with blending is volatilization of the melt from moisture …

Location-Allocation Optimization Of Supply Chain Distribution Networks: A Case Study, Mark Nicholas Helberg

Theses and Dissertations

The location of distribution centers is an important strategic decision in supply chain design, particularly as it relates to service quality, productivity, and profitability of the firm. There has been extensive research performed on distribution location models which require the use of complex algorithms and assumptions that make use of these models difficult in practice for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that have limited capital and resources. Studies have also failed to capture and quantify potential business results of using more sophisticated methods. In this study, a deterministic and static location-allocation model is designed using a prototype software tool. The …

Analysis Of Alternative Ductile Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforcing Bar Concepts, Bashar Behnam, Christopher D. Eamon

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research Publications

Steel-reinforced concrete structural components are often associated with significant maintenance costs as a result of reinforcement corrosion. To mitigate this problem, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars have been used in place of traditional steel reinforcement for some applications. The non-ductile response of typical FRP bars is a concern, however. To overcome this problem, hybrid ductile FRP (HDFRP) bars have been developed for use in concrete flexural members with resulting ductility indices similar to sections reinforced with steel. In this study, five different HDFRP bar concepts are analyzed and compared in terms of ductility, stiffness, and relative cost. Of primary interest is …

The Effects Of Physical Activity On Greenhouse Gas Emissions For Common Transport Modes In European Countries, Aidan Duffy, Robert Crawford

Articles

This paper applies a life cycle methodology to estimate activity-related contributions of transport modes to GHG emissions. The methodology uses national input-output tables, environmental accounts, household budget data and nutritional data to derive food-sector GHG coefficients of consumption for ten European countries. The food energy requirements for each mode of transport are estimated taking account of the modal activity level and energy requirements. Walking, cycling, driving and bus travel are considered. Typical national food energy-related emissions for walking, cycling, and driving ranged from 25.6 - 77.3 gCO2-eq/pass.km, 10.4 - 31.4 gCO2-eq/pass.km and 1.7 - 5.2 gCO2-eq/pass.km; passenger transport was found …

Investigations Of Attitudes Towards Offshore Wind Farm Development In Ireland: Their Implication Towards Future Development Of The Industry., Aidan Melia

Purdue Polytechnic Masters Theses

This current research investigates what the attitudes of Irish people are towards the development of offshore wind farms in Ireland. Using a qualitative approach, a questionnaire is carefully designed and distributed among a sample population from three coastal communities. One is located on the west coast and two on the east coast. The two locations on the east coast have an involvement in offshore wind farms. One of the locations plays host to Ireland’s only offshore wind farm, while there are plans in place for an offshore wind farm at the other location. The results from the questionnaires are analyzed …

Environmental And Energy Saving Technologies Of Vinyl Chloride Production, Mykola Kurta

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recently, because of the increase of environmental concerns in process design, the need to enhance conversion to product and prevent generation of wasteful byproducts in the reactor network has become urgent. This prevents high cost treatment and separation costs downstream in the process. Therefore, in this thesis I focus on making production of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) more efficient and on possible ways of industrial organochlorine waste (OCW) recycling. In particular, in the first experiment, we investigate how catalyst and its structure can affect product output.

Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were utilized to investigate the structure of the …