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Solar desalination employs direct sunrays in order to evaporate water vapor and collect the condensed water, making it an effective solution to combat water scarcity. In this experimental study, a solar still with a floating absorber is placed on the water, which acts as a heat absorber and is used to stop the heat conducting to the condensed water present in the still. Stainless steel, with thickness of 0.05 mm and dimensions of 500 mm × 500 mm, is used; this is coated with a Cr-Mn-Fe oxide nanocoating, and a wooden frame is attached to the sheet in order to maintain the balance, allowing the still to float at a constant depth on the water. The experiment is conducted on three different levels of water (3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm) using a conventional solar still (CSS) and a modified solar still (MSS) under the same climatic circumstances. The total distillate for depths of 3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm are 390 mL, 385 mL, and 385 mL, respectively for the MSS; the depths were 250 mL, 220 mL, and 205 mL, respectively, for the CSS. Upon comparison, the MSS performed better than the CSS by 56% at the 3 cm depth of water, 75% at the 4 cm depth of water, and 87% at the 5 cm depth of water. It was deduced that desalinated water for the MSS was 15.6% more cost-effective than for the CSS, and it was also 81% more cost-effective than packaged drinking water in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L) fruit pulp is available abundantly and has a high potential for food in rural areas, useful for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, however, the main hindrance for this pulp is lack of mechanization and availability of pulp in sufficient quantity at one place. The pulp of this fruit is usually used by rural communities where the processors use manual pulping, which is not only time-consuming but yields seasonally during July and August in India. Therefore, the objective of this work was to design, develop and evaluate the efficiency of fruit pulp extractors. The pulper was designed and developed such way that to be compact and easy to operate, consisting of the main housing with stainless steel teeth on a rotating shaft and pulping performed by beating and shearing. The performance evaluation of the machine was carried out at different rpm (320, 360, 410) input capacity (8, 10 and 12 kg) for fixed time of operation is 6 minutes. The pulp weight was evaluated during the pulping process period. The highest pulping efficiency (84.78%) and pulp recovery (33.9%) was obtained rpm of 410, with 6 minutes of pulping, and batch capacity of 10 kg of fruits which resulted in a capacity of 50 kg fruits per hour. This high efficiency makes this mechanized effective for pulping palmyrah fruits and, thus, it can replace manual pulping, especially in rural communities involved with the palmyrah fruit pulping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In routine dental practice, clinicians often face difficulty in selecting accurate interocclusal recording materials due to the introduction of numerous options in the market. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the appropriate material and use it correctly for the success of any prosthesis. Aim: To evaluate and compare the linear dimensional stability of three different types of interocclusal recording materials: polyvinyl siloxane bite registration paste (orangebite), polyether bite registration paste (ramitec), and bite registration wax (aluminium filled). Materials and Methods: An in-vitro study was conducted in the Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge, with microscopic evaluation performed at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Microbiology at Maratha Mandal’s NGH Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Belagavi, Karnataka, India in September 2020 for a period of four days. A stainless steel die was used to make impressions, and materials were manipulated according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A total of 30 samples (10 for each material) were created. Three minutes after the respective setting time of each material, discs were separated from the die. The distance between two parallel lines was measured using a stereomicroscope at different time intervals: one hour, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. Statistical analysis was performed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the Mann-Whitney test. Results: In the intragroup comparison of dimensional changes at different time intervals, all three materials showed statistically insignificant results (p>0.05). However, statistically significant results (p≤0.05) were found when comparing the materials at different time points. Polyether bite registration material exhibited better dimensional stability than polyvinyl siloxane and bite registration wax at one hour, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. Conclusion: Polyether demonstrated superior dimensional stability compared to polyvinyl siloxane and bite registration wax. The dimensional stability was influenced by both the material used and the duration of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite continuous efforts to enhance the operational efficiency of power plants dependent on these fuels, fossil fuels are expected to remain a significant global energy source in the coming decades. India has initiated a mission program to establish Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) power plants operating at temperature and pressure exceeding 720°C and 30.4kPa respectively. These plants are anticipated to utilize specialized materials with high resistance to corrosion and deformation at elevated temperatures. Among the materials considered, Nickel-base alloys, Creep Strength Enhanced Ferritic (CSEF) Steels and Austenitic Stainless Steels have emerged as the primary candidates. The prime emphasis of this paper is directed towards examining the weldability of Austenitic Stainless Steels utilized in AUSC power plants. It encompasses various aspects such as the choice of filler materials, welding techniques, and the attributes of welds involving both similar and dissimilar metals. The paper provides a comprehensive review of weldability challenges encountered in Austenitic Stainless Steels, including issues like liquation cracking in the heat-affected zone (HAZ), hot cracking, and stress relaxation cracking induced by tramp elements. Additionally, it investigates the performance of different filler wires, namely ER304HCu, ERNiCrCoMo-1, and ERNiCrMo-3, in weld joints involving 304HCu SS tubes, as well as ERNiCrCoMo-1 in dissimilar tube weld joints between 304HCu Stainless Steel and Alloy 617M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bipolar hemiarthroplasty is the standard of care for transcervical fracture in the elderly. Stainless steel being cheaper is preferred over titanium in developing nations for implants and prostheses. This study was conducted for assessing the short-term outcomes of uncemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty done using hydroxyapatite-coated stainless steel prosthesis. Methods: Sixty-five patients, >60 year of age operated between 2018 and 2020 at tertiary care centre with stainless steel (316L) completely coated with hydroxyapatite bipolar hemiarthroplasty implants were retrospectively followed up. Radiological outcomes were assessed based on pedestal formation, stem position, radiological limb length discrepancy, sinkage of stem, spot welds and stress shielding. Clinical and functional outcomes were assessed based on mean Harris Hip score. Results: Mean Harris Hip score at baseline, 3-week follow-up, 6-week follow-up, 3-month follow-up and 1-year follow-up was 45.9 (SD 2.5), 63.2 (SD 6.5), 75.1 (SD 9.9), 83.9 (SD 9.8) and 87.1 (SD 9.9), respectively. Excellent, good, fair, poor results were seen in 32.31, 40, 18.46, 9.23 of the patients, respectively. Valgus, central and varus stem position was seen in 49.23, 40, 10.77 percent of the patients, respectively. Pedestal formation, radiological limb length discrepancy, sinkage, spot welds, stress shielding was seen in 6.15, 32.31, 3.07, 53.85, 40 percent of the patients, respectively. Conclusion: Short-term outcomes of this study provides evidence that using a more affordable fully hydroxyapatite-coated stainless steel prosthesis for uncemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty is an appropriate treatment option for the transcervical femur fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World has been shifting towards cleaner and safer sources of energy. Reducing the carbon footprint is the need of the hour. Industries all over the globe are researching on reducing the pollution causing emissions and trying to improve in terms of using sustainable sources of energy and saving the environment. This paper would analyse the low carbon energy assessors (LCEA) in the construction industry. A detailed study has been conducted using primary and secondary research to determine the carbon emissions at different stages of construction. The study would help us in identifying the main phases and activities and components, contributing the majority of the carbon footprints. The need of this age is to work on this area and minimise the pollution and harm to the environment. The construction sites chosen are diverse and consist of all types of building in the southern part of India. The highest carbon emission component in building construction is the cement as a large amount of CO2 emission takes place during the manufacturing process of the cement. The minimum carbon emission that takes place due to the components from the building are labour, sand, MS steel and stainless steel. The study would give a high level idea about the impact of low carbon energy assessors (LCEA) in the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial communities colonized on submerged substrata are recognized as a key factor in the formation of complex biofouling phenomenon in the marine environment. Despite massive maritime activities and a large industrial sector in the nearshore of the Laccadive Sea, studies describing pioneer bacterial colonizers and community succession during the early-stage biofilm are scarce. We investigated the biofilm-forming bacterial community succession on three substrata viz. stainless steel, high-density polyethylene, and titanium over 15 days of immersion in the seawater intake area of a power plant, located in the southern coastal region of India. The bacterial community composition of biofilms and peripheral seawater were analyzed by Illumina MiSeq sequenced 16S rRNA gene amplicons. The obtained metataxonomic results indicated a profound influence of temporal succession over substrate type on the early-stage biofilm-forming microbiota. Bacterial communities showed vivid temporal dynamics that involved variations in abundant bacterial groups. The proportion of dominant phyla viz. Proteobacteria decreased over biofilm succession days, while Bacteroidetes increased, suggesting their role as initial and late colonizers, respectively. A rapid fluctuation in the proportion of two bacterial orders viz. Alteromonadales and Vibrionales were observed throughout the successional stages. LEfSe analysis identified specific bacterial groups at all stages of biofilm development, whereas no substrata type-specific groups were observed. Furthermore, the results of PCoA and UPGMA hierarchical clustering demonstrated that the biofilm-forming community varied considerably from the planktonic community. Phylum Proteobacteria preponderated the biofilm-forming community, while the Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, and Actinobacteria dominated the planktonic community. Overall, our results refute the common assumption that substrate material has a decisive impact on biofilm formation; rather, it portrayed that the temporal succession overshadowed the influence of the substrate material. Our findings provide a scientific understanding of the factors shaping initial biofilm development in the marine environment and will help in designing efficient site-specific anti-biofouling strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear-spent fuel reprocessing and high-level liquid waste (HLLW) storage containers possess various inorganic higher valance oxidizing metallic ions and fission products, further influencing nitric acid corrosion through the PUREX route. This study evaluated the effect of nitric acid corrosion on gas-tungsten arc weldment (GTAW) of stainless steel (SS) 304 L in simulated reprocessing and HLLW medium in non-radioactive conditions. The effect of oxidizing metallic cations, which were present as the major amount in the mark-I spent fuel of fast breeder test reactors (FBTR) in India; these are Cs+1, Nd+3, Mo+6, Fe+3, and V+5 as a surrogate redox system for Pu(VI)/Pu(IV) and Np(VI)/Np(V) system was evaluated by the electrochemical corrosion test method in 2 M, 6 M, and 8 M nitric acid solutions. The resistance of polarization (Rp) value decreases with the nitric acid concentration, and the effect of oxidizing ions in different nitric acid concentrations also changes. The three-phase corrosion (boiling liquid, vapor, and condensate phase) resistance behavior in different concentrations (6 M and 8 M) of the nitric acid medium, without and with redox ions, has been evaluated. The corrosion rate is higher in the liquid phase compared to the vapor and condensate phases. On the other hand, it is relatively higher for the inorganic metallic redox ions containing solutions. [Display omitted] • Corrosion of the GTAW SS 304 L was evaluated in nonradioactive PUREX and HLLW medium. • Increase in nitric acid concentration, trans-passive corrosion tendency increases. • Corrosion by the metallic ion depends on its effective redox potential in the medium. • The weldment material is more corrosion-resistant than its base metal counterpart. • The descending trend of the three-phase corrosion is that liquid > vapor > condensate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In thin shell buckling, geometric imperfections are important contributors to observed scatter in experimentally determined postbuckling behavior. Buckling experiments with large shells are difficult and expensive to conduct, and hence the sample sizes of buckling tests reported in the literature are generally small. To study statistical variability of buckling loads for a large number of notionally identical thin shells, we have carried out 100 buckling experiments each for two thin shell geometries. One shell geometry is a dome-like shell with a flat base (a bowl), and the other is a truncated cone with a flat base (a tumbler). The test shells are industrially produced, inexpensive, made of stainless steel, and easily available in India as utensils for domestic use. We provide detailed geometric and material characterization of these thin shell specimens. These shells were compressed axially between rigid plates. Buckling for both shell geometries was elastoplastic in nature. The experimental buckling load–displacement curves of 100 specimens for the bowl show variability in buckling loads by a factor of two, and stable postbuckling response. The corresponding curves for 100 specimens of the tumbler show variations of as much as a factor 5, with many snap-throughs, and unstable postbuckling response for larger compressions. We present two sets of axisymmetric elastoplastic finite element simulations of the tumbler, with both (a) tractions directly applied on a predetermined region and (b) through contact with a rigid plate. The latter set of simulations show approximately twice as much sensitivity to geometrical imperfections. Our results may guide new assessments of factors of safety in buckling, as laid down in design codes, when there is a chance of such interactions between contact loading and geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Vital pulpotomy in primary molar teeth is aimed to retain the tooth in function until it is replaced by its successors. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and lyophilized platelet-derived preparation (LPDP) as a pulpotomy agent in primary molars. Materials and Methods: Forty primary molars from 20 healthy children aged 5–9 years requiring pulpotomy in the contralateral side of mandible were randomly selected. In both the groups, pulpotomy was carried out by removing coronal pulp and achieving hemostasis, the radicular part of pulp tissue was packed with PRF preparation in Group I and LPDP (Mothercell Research Centre, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India) in Group II. The teeth were restored with zinc oxide eugenol and glass ionomer cement (GIC), followed by stainless steel crown in the same visit. Clinical and radiographic evaluation was undertaken at 1, 3, and 6 months interval. Results: The overall success rate was 90% in PRF group and 95% in LPDP group at the end of 6 months. The results were statistically nonsignificant between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The overall outcome of the study suggests that PRF and LPDP are acceptable pulpotomy agents and are promising in the era of new vital pulp therapy procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 304HCu stainless steel (SS) is the candidate material for reheater and superheater tubes in Advanced Ultra Supercritical (AUSC) coal-fired power plants of India. In the present study, the creep design data have been generated for indigenously developed 304HCu SS using the creep properties (creep strain and the rupture life) and tensile properties available at the temperatures 923 K, 973 K and 1023 K. The time dependent allowable stresses were obtained for the above steel according to the stress criteria specified in ASME Section III Division 5 Subsection HB. The allowable stresses were also derived in the creep as well as non-creep regimes as per the guidelines in ASME Section IID. In both the cases, the maximum allowable stress at each temperature was dictated by the stress to cause rupture. The allowable stress determined as per Section IID was the same as that estimated according to section III.5 HB for creep exposure of 100,000 h. Further, it must be mentioned that, at the temperature range 923–1023 K, the indigenously developed 304HCu SS possess allowable stresses that are in par with the corresponding values specified in ASME code case 2328–2. • Creep and tensile data of 304HCu SS (developed indigenously in India for the first time) have been generated at 923, 973 and 1023 K. • The isochronous stress-strain curves and 1% creep strength curves were obtained for 304HCu SS. • The allowable stresses that were determined according to ASME Section III.5 HBB and Section IID, were generally dictated by the stress to rupture. • Allowable stress for the indigenously developed 304HCu SS are closer to the values specified in ASME code case 2328–2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay explores how notions relating to the local and global are articulated in the works of the artist Subodh Gupta. I also consider how such terms relate to the notion of 'Indianness.' My examination is grounded within materiality, in particular the stainless steel utensils that have become the artist's primary, most well-known medium. This material is a culturally-specific phenomenon, located in a number of contexts within India (Gupta's country of origin). It is also associated with Gupta's ascent, when he became globally renowned in the mid-to-late 2000s, gaining recognition through his stainless steel sculptures and installations, as well as paintings depicting such objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Indian experience on irradiation behaviour of alloy D9 in FBTR presented • Swelling, dimensional stability and mechanical properties alloy D9 clad/wrapper at 40-62 dpa examined and compared with AISI 316 • PIE results reveal superior performance of D9 clad /wrapper compared to AISI 316 counterparts and validate the choice of alloy D9 for PFBR Titanium modified austenitic stainless steel 316 (Alloy D9) is the material of clad and wrapper for the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, India. Towards evaluating the irradiation performance of the mixed oxide (MOX) fuel design and Alloy D9 structural material, a test fuel subassembly (FSA) made of Alloy D9 wrapper with 37 MOX fuel pins of Alloy D9 cladding was irradiated in Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) to a peak burnup of 112 GWd/t. The dimensional changes, swelling and mechanical properties of alloy D9 clad and wrapper at displacement damage levels of 40-62 dpa were evaluated through post-irradiation examinations (PIE) and compared with that of AISI 316 clad/wrapper of FBTR. This study has revealed superior performance of alloy D9 compared to AISI 316 counterparts and suggests that MOX fuel subassembly of PFBR with Alloy D9 cladding and wrapper can safely attain the initial target burnup of 100 GWd/t and corresponding displacement damage of 85 dpa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the pattern and extent of stainless steel crown (SSC) reuse following try-in and the methods employed for their decontamination among Indian pediatric dentists. Study Design: Questionnaires were delivered personally to 100 pediatric dentists selected randomly across India. Questionnaire was divided into three subsections. The fi rst section assessed demographics to determine the sample population characteristics. The second section dealt with the pattern of SSCs use and reuse following size determination. The third section inquired into general cross infection control procedures including cleaning, sterilization, and training to assess the general level of compliance. Data analysis involved descriptive analysis using SPSS 16.0 software. Results: The majority of respondents (98.92%) routinely reused the crowns after they had been tried in the patient. Only one respondent (1.08%) discarded the crowns after try-in. Autoclave (25%) was the most common method employed for the decontamination of tried-in SSCs among the respondents. Conclusion: The majority of the participating pediatric dentists are reusing SSCs following try-in during crown selection. However, great diversity exists in the methods employed for the decontamination of the same. This demands for more research to provide guidelines into the most effective method of decontamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Moderately haloalkaliphilic Halomonas campisallis MCM B-1027 isolated from the alkaline lake of Lonar, India was found to produce a biodegradable polymer, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). Scale up production of PHA from H. campisalis MCM B-1027 was carried out in 120L stainless steel (SS) fermenter using 85L production medium with a yield of 51.56% PHA on dry cell weight basis. The recovery of PHA was studied by several methods such as solvent extraction of the polymer, chemical digestion of the non-PHA biomass and mechanical disruption of the cells. Highest rate of PHA recovery obtained was 63mg/h with solvent extraction using rotary film evaporator. Further optimization of extraction of PHA from dry cells in chloroform using 10L rotavapor was carried out. L9 orthogonal array was chosen to study the influence of time, rotation and temperature at three levels along with their interactive effects on extraction process. Maximum PHA recovery of 84.47% was obtained at 25rpm, 60°C, within 3h. Time factor had highest 84.11% contribution in the extraction process. This study is the first report on model for batch extraction of PHA and its validation based on second-order mechanism developed to predict the saturation capacity of the solvent, initial rate of extraction at different temperatures and activation energy of the process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Degradation of the hydroturbine components due to slurry erosion is a serious issue, especially for the hydropower plants situated on the rivers originating from Himalayas in India. In the current investigation, slurry erosion performance of two stainless steels (CA6NM and CF8M), which are commonly used in hydroturbine power plants, has been studied. A high-speed erosion test apparatus was used for the studies. Slurry collected from an actual hydropower plant was used as the abrasive media in the test apparatus. The effect of slurry concentration (ppm), average particle size of slurry particles and rotational speed on the slurry erosion behaviour was investigated under different experimental conditions. The analysis of eroded samples was done using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and stylus profilometry. SEM images showed signatures of formation of lips, ploughing, crater and microcutting on eroded surface of steels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Materials play very crucial role for a safe, reliable and economic operation of nuclear power plants. Materials used in nuclear reactors encounter hostile environment and aggressive media during service, and are expected to retain their structural and metallurgical integrity over a long period of use. The major challenges are the effect of radiation on embrittlement, creep, erosion, corrosion, radiation induced growth, swelling, stress corrosion cracking, hydrogen embrittlement and radioactivity build up. In order to realize a high degree of reliabilit y and at the same time meet the imposing challenges, material specification and acceptance criteria are extremely stringent and the products have to undergo a detailed testing and characterization prior to their use. To ensure the conformance to the specification, processes need to be developed which involves melting the alloy with stringent chemistry control, optimizing thermo-mechanical treatment and modifying heat treatment schedule suitably to achieve mechanical properties. A typical nuclear power plant makes use of nuclear fuel materials such as uranium, structural materials such as zirconium alloys, stainless steels, nickel base alloys as well as low alloy and carbon steels. The paper outlines processing methodologies and gives an overview of some of the structural materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Large sample neutron activation analysis (LSNAA) was carried out using thermal column facility of Apsara reactor at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India. The k 0-based internal monostandard NAA (IM-NAA) using in situ detection efficiency was used to analyze large and non-standard geometry samples of clay pottery, uranium ore and stainless steel. Elemental concentration ratios with respect to Na as a monostandard were used in the study of pottery and ore samples. For stainless steel sample of SS 304L, the absolute concentrations were calculated from concentration ratios by mass balance approach since all the major elements (Fe, Cr, Ni and Mn) were amenable to NAA. Applications of LSNAA in the above-mentioned three different areas are described in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A bench scale unit has been designed and developed indigenously for producing hydrogen from methane in the presence of a catalyst. Five number carbon samples (two carbon blacks and three activated carbons) of different origin procured from Indian market have been investigated in the bench scale unit with stainless steel continuous fixed bed reactor at a constant temperature of 850 0C and space velocity (VHSV) of 1.62 Lit/hr.g. Among all the five samples, activated carbon produced from coconut shells with BET surface area of 1185 m2/g showed promising activity with a sustainability factor (R1/R0) of 0.33 and initial activity (R0) of 0.623 mmol/min.g of catalyst. Accumulated carbon yield (over a period of four hours) of the above catalyst is 564 mg/g of catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type-316 stainless steel (SS) was investigated as the cathode in galvanic couples in full-strength seawater from the Gulf of Mannar on the southeast coast of India. Tests were devised to examine the impact of SS cathodes on anode materials with or without the accrual of marine biofilms. Biofilmed SS cathodes significantly enhanced the rate of corrosion of nickel, causing noble shifts in the couple potentials. With mild steel and zinc as the anodes, calcareous deposits developed quite rapidly on the SS cathodes and led to a significant reduction of bacterial numbers. The calcareous deposits also caused substantial reduction of galvanic corrosion rates for mild steel, whereas there was no difference for zinc. The deposits were identified by XRD as essentially carbonates, oxides and hydroxides of calcium and magnesium. Potentiodynamic polarization performed on the actual couples after disconnection and equilibration provided reasonable interpretations of the galvanic corrosion trends. Data from this work suggest that a potential of about −0.70 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE) should provide optimum protection of SS in warmer, full-strength seawater that supports the precipitation of calcareous deposits. The criterion commonly recommended for temperate conditions of lower water temperature and estuarine waters of lower alkalinity is −1.0 V (SCE). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Rasogolla is the most popular Indian dairy sweet has crossed its boundary of Eastern India and its fame rapidly spreading in abroad also. Generally rasogolla is prepared from chhana obtained from cow’s milk. For production of rasogolla, chhana is thoroughly kneaded and made into small balls, which are subsequently boiled in clarified sugar syrup followed by slow cooling in comparatively low concentration sugar syrup. Rasogolla’s projected demand is 6000 tonnes in 2009. Traditionally chhana kneading and ball forming was done manually. In order to meet ever-growing demand, its production must be mechanized. An attempt was made to develop a chhana kneader and ball former as presented in Part I and II. Chhana was kneaded in the developed kneader at a peripheral speed of 93.46cm/s and chhana ball was made in the developed ball former for the preparation of rasogolla under the following operating conditions: 200 and 250 strokes/min 5 and 10cm stroke length, 0 and 5% slope in stainless steel (SS) plain, SS perforated and acrylic sheet as ball forming surfaces. The performance of the developed machine was evaluated in terms of porosity, percentage of absorbed sugar syrup, expressible juice, volume expansion and overall acceptability of rasogolla. Better quality rasogolla was obtained at 200 strokes/min, 5cm stroke length in SS plain surface with 0% slope. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A systematic survey of the cost of corrosion and wear has been carried out in a major pulp and paper plant in India. It is shown that the annual direct cost of corrosion and wear in the plant under consideration is £20 000. By extrapolation, the annual cost of corrosion in the entire pulp and paper industry in India is estimated to be £1·5 million. It is further shown that opting for an alternative, corrosion resistant material such as duplex stainless steel in the bleaching unit alone could lead to annual savings of almost £130 000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article calls for a reconsideration of the materiality of things in dynamic processes of self-making and personhood. Grounded in research in contemporary urban India, it is argued that it is in the act of divestment that the capacity for the recreation of the self is made most apparent, due to the intimate connection between clothing and the body. Cloth is also a vital element of gift-giving and the re-creation of social networks. The case study of a woman frying to get rid of an unwanted garment highlights the options available and the different regimes of value by which the worth of used clothing can be assessed. These include handing on treasured pieces to family members, recycling within the home, giving to servants, bartering them for new stainless steel pots or burning them for their silver and gold content. The sacrifice and destruction of such intimate objects are the necessary prerequisite for the renewal of self within a network of mutually constitutive person-object relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromite ore processing tailing, a solid waste generated during the processing of chromite ore, is difficult to recover due to its ultra-fine size. The tailings generated from the process contains valuable chromite and iron-bearing minerals, loss of which is a matter of concern for the ferrochrome industry worldwide. Tailings generated from the processing plant is mainly dumped, causing space and environmental concerns. Researchers worldwide have carried out a rigorous study on the recovery of chromite from tailings, considering the low quantity of Cr (T) and Fe (T) in the ore. These processes are partially successful due to the further assimilation of waste in the form of tailings. In the present study, the tailings generated from a chromite ore beneficiary plant in India were investigated through a pyro-metallurgical route. The initial characterization confirmed the presence of nickel (0.5–0.9% Ni) in the ore, which led to the interest in smelting the ore to obtain nickel in the metal. The smelting behaviour of the tailings is studied under the submerged arc furnace and blast furnace condition, under varying basicity. A cost economic analysis of the process is evaluated to understand the feasibility of the real-time operation. The present investigation has revealed that the smelting of such tailings could result in a metal product with 79.23% Fe (T) , 12.94% chromium and 1.11% nickel with a recovery >94%. The produced slag is enriched with a higher quantity of amorphous phase with a glassy phase >89%. The suggested process is a cleaner and sustainable approach towards valorisation of such mining waste and realization through the concept of the circular economy. It is concluded that the carbothermal smelting of tailings generated during enrichment can be valorized through submerged arc furnace route at optimum basicity of 1 by promoting the concept of zero discharge. [Display omitted] • A novel processing route for COPT valorisation through submerged arc smelting. • Higher than 95% recovery of Cr, Fe and Nickel as metal. • A highly glassy slag phase with >89% amorphous content for cement application. • Sustainable pyro-metallurgical approach for the valorisation of COPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainability of new and emerging wastewater treatment technologies/systems is a matter of vital significance. In this regard, the life cycle assessment (LCA) of a package type integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) reactor, treating municipal wastewater, was carried out using SimaPro software (8.0.5 faculty version) and IMPACT 2002 + methodology. The analysis of environmental impacts, associated with the construction phase, and investigated operational scenarios (steady-state, dissolved oxygen variation, and intermittent aeration) of studied IFAS reactor, is presented in this study. The LCA analysis results revealed that the main negative impacts i.e. eutrophication and eco-toxicity of the IFAS reactor were associated with the usage of stainless steel in construction of reactor. It was observed that considering damage indicators, intermittent aeration phase III causes minimum impact (∼43% on human health, ∼2% on ecosystem quality, ∼44% on climate change, and ∼45% on resources), as compared to dissolved oxygen phase III. The study showed that among all the operational scenarios, IA phase III exert ∼2–45% less burden on the environment in most of the midpoint impact categories, except for aquatic eutrophication impact. DO phase III contributed minimum impact on aquatic eutrophication category, mainly due to best effluent characteristics. Overall, the investigations of the present study revealed that among various input resources, energy utilization is the most significant contributor to the environmental impacts associated with the investigated IFAS reactor, and presented the highest importance among four damage categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]