i-manager's Journal on Mechanical Engineering (JME)


Volume 11 Issue 4 August - October 2021

Research Paper

Optimization and Energy Performance of 400MW Steam Power Plant Based on Mini REFPROP Software Packages

Malik F. Elmzughi* , Abdulhafed M. Mjani **, Saji S. Lagha ***, Mohammed A. Umbarek ****
*-**** Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya.
Elmzughi, M. F., Mjani, A. M., Lagha, S. S., and Umbarek, M. A. (2021). Optimization and Energy Performance of 400MW Steam Power Plant Based on Mini REFPROP Software Packages. i-manager's Journal on Mechanical Engineering, 11(4), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.26634/jme.11.4.18078

Abstract

In this research, the thermal analyses of cogeneration of thermal power plants are carried out. The considered power thermal system has a total power capacity of 400 MW, with turbines (high, intermediate, and low pressure), heaters (four low pressure, and two high-pressure heaters), six valves, and pumps (two boiler feed pump and condensate pump). The thermodynamics models are presented. The approach for defining and determination of exergetic efficiencies, irreversibilities, and improvement potential in thermal systems are presented. Thermophysical properties of working fluid and code simulations are obtained by employing Thermax, Mini Refprop, and Matlab software packages. The studied boiler temperature and condenser pressure ranges are 400-800 ºC, 4-10 kPa, respectively. For the operation, normal and economic conditions are considered. The maximum percentage value of the irreversibilities and potential improvement occurs in the boiler at 73% and 80% respectively. The irreversibilities, improvement potential, exergetic efficiency, and exergy are calculated. The rise in the boiler temperature makes the work pump drop to 5.8 MW, while the thermal plant efficiency slightly increases to 57.4%. The analysis shows that maximum improvement potential occurs in the steam generator, reheater, and condenser, with 156.0, 24.6, and 7.6 MW, respectively. The lowest energetic efficiency is 10.37% for the condenser, while the highest is for the deaerator with 98%. This kind of approach confirms which component has the priority for any service to be done to upgrade the considered thermal power plant cycles.

Research Paper

Aerodynamic Study of Sedan Car for Increasing Fuel Efficiency by Vortex Generators

G. Sivaraj* , J. P. Ramesh **, G. Lokesh ***
* Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Erode, Tamil Nadu, India.
**-*** Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Sivaraj, G., Ramesh, J. P., and Lokesh, G. (2021). Aerodynamic Study of Sedan Car for Increasing Fuel Efficiency by Vortex Generators. i-manager's Journal on Mechanical Engineering, 11(4), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.26634/jme.11.4.18095

Abstract

The aerodynamic performance of passenger cars is focused on this research work for reduction of aerodynamic drag force. Better aerodynamic car design will reduce the aerodynamic drag force which will save more fuel, good stability and handling on vehicle. Aerodynamic drag force on the car occurs due to the car profile design and its surface while moving with high speeds. When the car accelerates above 70 kmph, energy available on the flow is less due to the flow separation at rear side of the vehicle. Hence, flow is hesitated to move past the sharp corner on the rear side. This flow separation will produce significant wake on rear side of the car and increase the aerodynamic drag force. This paper proposes a method to reduce the wake region at rear side of the vehicle and to enhance the aerodynamic performance of vehicle by add-on device like vortex generator (VG) attachment on the vehicle. The computational studies have been carried out to study the effect of VG attachment on the vehicle for reduction of aerodynamic drag force. The computational studies are done with real road flow conditions for sedan car model with and without attachment of VG. Result of each car model has been compared with contour of pressure distribution, velocity flow field and turbulent kinetic energy. From computational simulation studies, it has been observed that aerodynamic drag coefficients of car model without VG attachment is 0.3371 and after implementing the VG with optimized parameter in the car has been reduced to 0.3161 at velocity 20 m/s. It has been observed that percentage of reduction of coefficient of drag is 6.22%.

Research Paper

Investigation of Mechanical Behaviour of Mango Seed Peel Particulate Epoxy Composite

Sivalingam S.* , Srinivasan R. **, Raghul Ravichandran ***, Vijaya Raghavan S. R. ****, Venkatesan P. *****, Vijay Aravind K. ******
*-****** Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Sivalingam, S., Srinivasan, R., Ravichandran, R., Raghavan, S. R. V., Venkatesan, P., and Aravind, K. V. (2021). Investigation of Mechanical Behaviour of Mango Seed Peel Particulate Epoxy Composite. i-manager's Journal on Mechanical Engineering, 11(4), 19-25. https://doi.org/10.26634/jme.11.4.17820

Abstract

The use of composite materials dates from centuries ago, and it all started with natural fibres. Likewise this paper includes the use of mango seed peel particulates used as reinforcement to develop the composite. The inner part (kernel) of the mango seed peel particulates is used for home remedies and for medical treatments. But the mango seed peel particulate plays a major role for the material strength and hence it was decided to study its mechanical behaviour. The major points to look out in this is high strength to weight ratio, less weight, and the mango seed peel particulate is a no cost reinforcement material. In this paper, the mechanical properties of mango seed peel particulate particle-epoxy composite were developed with different fibre matrix ratios and are compared. The concept of hand lay-up process is used in preparing the material. It is tested by varying the fibre matrix ratios where the matrix is used in standard proportions. Then the prepared parts are compared against their mechanical properties. Hardness and tensile values obtained are compared for finding the better proportion.

Research Paper

Mechanical Characterization of Aluminium Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites by Stir Casting Method

M. Vadivel * , R. Ashok **
*-** Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Vadivel, M., and Ashok, R. (2021). Mechanical Characterization of Aluminium Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites by Stir Casting Method. i-manager's Journal on Mechanical Engineering, 11(4), 26-30. https://doi.org/10.26634/jme.11.4.18110

Abstract

In today's world, aluminum metal matrix composites play a significant role in industries like automotive, aviation, aerospace, defense and marine due to its structural application. The objective of this research is to increase the mechanical properties and at the same time reduce the weight without much compromise to the strength to weight ratio. The Aluminium 6061, Aluminium 7075, Aluminium 8011 are used as matrix and alumina and flyash are used as their reinforcement to form the metal matrix composite. Here, Aluminium metal matrix – fly ash - alumina composites were prepared by stir casting method. The impact of reinforcement in the above three series were studied with respect to the tensile, percentage elongation and hardness properties. It has been observed that the addition of alumina and fly ash has resulted in the increase of all the above properties significantly.

Research Paper

Experimental Investigation of Performance Characteristics and Emission Testing using Cotton Seed and Coconut Oil as Bio-Diesel

K. Vijayendiran* , Sushil Samuel Dinesh **, R. Vignesh Kanna ***
*-*** Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Vijayendiran, K., Dinesh, S. S., and Kanna, R. V. (2021). Experimental Investigation of Performance Characteristics and Emission Testing using Cotton Seed and Coconut Oil as Bio-Diesel. i-manager's Journal on Mechanical Engineering, 11(4), 31-40. https://doi.org/10.26634/jme.11.4.18097

Abstract

Coconut is one of the major agricultural resources in the countries with large coastal areas like India and Sri Lanka. India is the largest producer of cotton in the world. Bio-diesel were produced using equal blends of cotton seed oil and coconut oil with methanol by a process known as transesterification (Oil to methanol ratio = 1:6). Three blends of bio fuel (B10, B20 and B100) were tested using a diesel engine with variable compression ratio for diesel engine (Kirloskar TV-1). Experiments were conducted and the performance and emission characteristics were determined. The performance characteristics of the diesel fuel were also determined in order to compare the performance of bio-diesel blends with diesel. The parameters that were determined are indicated power, brake power, brake thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency, indicated thermal efficiency, calorimeter water heat transfer, engine water heat transfer and exhaust water heat transfer. Emissions tests were also carried out to find the various gas emissions from the biodiesel. Based on the experiments, it has been found that the indicated power and brake power of all bio diesel blends were marginally higher than that of diesel. Although diesel provided marginally better mechanical efficiency, the brake thermal efficiency and indicated thermal efficiency of bio-diesel blends were significantly higher than that of diesel. Also, the engine water heat transfer, calorimeter water heat transfer and exhaust gas heat transfer of diesel were found to be higher than that of bio-diesel. Out of all tested bio-diesel blends, B20 has been found to be the most environmental friendly fuel with the least CO2 and NOx emissions.

Research Paper

Design and Development of Eco-Friendly Regenerative Electrical Bicycle

G. Rajesh * , R. Srinivasan **, G. Lokesh ***
*-*** Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Rajesh, G., Srinivasan, R., and Lokesh, G. (2021). Design and Development of Eco-Friendly Regenerative Electrical Bicycle. i-manager's Journal on Mechanical Engineering, 11(4), 41-49. https://doi.org/10.26634/jme.11.4.18138

Abstract

In the recent development of automobile industries, there has been a focus on reducing the environmental impacts of flue gases emitted from Internal Combustion Engines, such as CO, CO2, NOx, and other pollutants, and thus it is critical to develop pollution-free e-vehicles to protect the environment. The goal of this study is to produce a light-weight regenerative electrical bicycle. In this study, a regenerative DC hub motor in the front wheel is employed to generate power from the rotational motion of the front wheel, which is then stored in a power storing device such as a battery or a regenerative convector unit. The stored energy in the storage unit is transferred to a DC hub motor mounted on the bicycle's rear wheel, and the rational moment of the DC hub motor shaft is transferred to the rear wheel motion, which acts as the rear wheel axle. The fundamental advantage of a regenerative e-bike is that it can work in any circumstance without requiring any additional power. When compared to the country's commercially available e-bikes, the regenerative electrical bicycle enhances efficiency.

Research Paper

Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study of Glass Fiber Epoxy Drive Shaft

R. Srinivasan * , R. Ramkumar**
*-** Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Srinivasan, R., and Ramkumar, R. (2021). Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study of Glass Fiber Epoxy Drive Shaft. i-manager's Journal on Mechanical Engineering, 11(4), 50-56. https://doi.org/10.26634/jme.11.4.18109

Abstract

The concept of weight reduction in drive shaft using fiber reinforced plastics has existed over a decade. A similar approach
is used here by replacing the conventional metal drive shaft by the glass fiber reinforced plastics. This paper analyzes the
composite drive shaft using Ansys workbench for the replacement of conventional steel drive shaft. The uses of composite
material such as glass fiber with proper resins resulted in remarkable achievements in automobile industry because of its
greater specific strength and specific modulus, improved fatigue and corrosion resistances and reduction in energy
requirements due to reduction in weight as compared to steel shaft. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis is
carried out to investigate the structure of the laminate. The composite drive shaft reduces the weight by 69.58% for
Glass/Epoxy when compared with conventional steel drive shaft.