Mechanical Engineering Research Papers/Topics

Tungsten carbide thin films review: effect of deposition parameters on film microstructure and properties

Abstract: In this work, the property of physically deposited thin WC films with respect to deposition parameters and conditions reported by previous researchers is being reviewed. The study provides deeper insight to the effect of deposition parameters as well as preliminary selection of parameters for optimization of the WC film preparation for improved tribological properties for industrial applications. Not much studies of WC thin films deposited though PVD methods have been reviewed henc...

Effect of media shape on particle breakage in a batch ball mill: lessons learnt from population balance model and attainable region technique

Abstract: The batch grinding equation and the Attainable region technique tools were used in evaluating data obtained from the breakage of quartz ore in a laboratory batch ball mill. Using the same milling conditions and grinding equipment, test results were evaluated through the breakage distributions of different size fractions. Results prove that mixing different grinding media increases volume of grinding zones and that translates to an improvement in grinding kinetics and amount of requ...

Effect of interstitial filling, ball and feed size on particle breakage in a laboratory ball mill: an attainable region technique

Abstract: The interstitial filling, grinding media and feed particle size are vital parameters to be considered during ball mill operation. Experiments were conducted to ascertain whether there are possible interactions between the three variables and the fineness of the required product. The data obtained was analysed using the Attainable Region (AR) optimization method which is a model-free and equipment-independent tool. Experimental results indicate that there is a need to adjust or corr...

Turbulent flow inside longitudinally corrugated pipes

Abstract: Longitudinally corrugated pipes can be described as pipes with periodically converging-diverging cross-area arranged along the flow course. These pipes are mainly utilized in engineering applications, for example, pipe flow in a heat exchanger where wall corrugation improves heat convection,gas to liquid contractors in the chemical business, ventilation, air conditioning, drag reduction and mass transfer efficiency. Both experimental and analytical works detailed the impact of c...

Hydrothermal and entropy production analyses of magneto-cross nanoliquid under rectified Fourier viewpoint: a robust approach to industrial applications

Abstract: The present article has been groomed to explore the boundary-driven magnetized flow of cross nanoliquid over thin needle subject to auto catalysis chemical reactions. In addition to it, the effect of entropy optimization model is incorporated and transportation of heat under non-uniform heat source/sink, Cattaneo-Christov heat flux (rectified Fourier) viewpoint (CCHF), and non-linear thermal radiation is also taken into account. Furthermore, the Brownian and thermophoresis aspects ...

Design, modelling, and simulation of solar photovoltaic driven air-conditioning systems for herbaria collection in Botswana

Abstract: The demand for cooling has grown exponentially over the past century to meet economic development, availability, comfort and social needs, accounting for over 10% of the global electricity consumption and growing. Rising global temperatures have also contributed to the growing need for cooling in buildings. Cooling, is a very energy-intensive process that can account for 20% to 75% of a building's energy, depending on the building use. Solar photovoltaic (PV) driven air-conditionin...

Evaluation of Dunaliella salina microalgae for biodiesel production a case study (Botswana Ash Company)

Abstract: Production of biodiesel from microalgae has received worldwide recognition as an alternative to petroleum diesel. The process involves culturing, harvesting, drying, extraction, transesterification and characterisation of the microalgae biomass to biodiesel. The research aimed to investigate the potential of Dunaliella salina microalgae inhabiting in Botash Company’s solar ponds Botswana for biodiesel production. Optimum salinity and nutrients concentrations that produced maximum...

A review on drones controlled in real-time

Abstract: This paper presents related literature review on drones or unmanned aerial vehicles that are controlled in real-time. Systems in real-time control create more deterministic response such that tasks are guaranteed to be completed within a specified time. This system characteristic is very much desirable for drones that are now required to perform more sophisticated tasks. The reviewed materials presented were chosen to highlight drones that are controlled in real time, and to includ...

A secured and efficient communication scheme for decentralized cognitive radio-based internet of vehicles

Abstract: The advancements in hardware technologies have driven the evolution of vehicular ad hoc networks into the Internet of Vehicles (IoV). The IoV is a decentralized network of IoT-enabled vehicles capable of smooth traffic flow to perform fleet management and accident avoidance. The IoV has many commercial applications due to improved security and safety on the roads. However, the rapidly increasing number of wireless applications have challenged the existing spectrum bands allocated t...

Numerical Investigation of Mesh Material Properties on Heat Convection and Conduction of a Vertical Impinging Round Jet onto a Horizontal Surface (Stationary and Moving)

Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), this paper investigates the effect of mesh material properties on the heat convection and conduction (fluid-solid interaction) of a vertical impinging round jet onto a stationary and moving horizontal surface, as well as the effect of conjugation in the solid domain. This paper is an excerpt from an assignment in Numerical Thermoflow that was completed in 2021 during my Bachelor of Science Honours in Applied Science Mechanics at the University of Pret...

EXERGY ANALYSIS OF COUNTER FLOW FORCED DRAFT WET COOLING TOWER (CASE STUDY OF PORT HARCOURT REFINERY)

This study evaluated the exergy analysis of the mechanical forced draft counter flow of the Port Harcourt Refinery cooling towers. The exergy analysis was carried out using the exergy destruction method. The results of the investigation and optimization show that the exergy destruction increases with the increases in mass flow rates of the cooling water, makeup water, and Air. Also, exergy destruction decreases with the decreases in Humidity Ratio, Heat sink Temperature, and Relative Humi...

Dynamic Modelling of a Vapour Compression Air Conditioner System

ABSTRACT Modelling is a very important tool for understanding complex problems. A model plays a fundamental role in the analysis, design and development of complex systems, especially when physical testing and experimentation are not feasible - or not possible at all. Modelling technology holds tremendous promise for reducing costs, improving quality, and shortening the time-to-market for manufactured goods. Unfortunately, this technology still remains largely underutilized by industries toda...

Development of Local Technology for a Small-Scale Biochar Production Processes from Agricultural Wastes

Abstract A charcoal fired reactor for small-scale production of biochar was successfully designed, fabricated and tested. The method of biochar production offered by this equipment was evaluated by comparing its output with a single barrel method of production. The results obtained during the test indicated that the efficiency of the equipment based on its output per kg of Cocoa pod husk was 79.9%. It has the capacity to produce 18.3 kg of Biochar from Cocoa Husk per day using lbag of local ...

Activated Carbon from Agricultural Waste: Process Description and Economic Analysis

Abstract: Adsorption refrigeration technology has been intensively investigated in many countries of the world because of its promising potential for competing with conventional vapour compression refrigeration, its relatively low operating cost and its environmental friendliness. The search for a good adsorbent for solar powered refrigeration technology has led to various attempts to manufacture activated carbon of high adsorptive property. In this study coconut shells plus 10% animal bones...

Stress Effects on Microstructure and Failure Morphology of Low Carbon Steel Sheet

Abstract This paper presents experimental and simulation study of the effects of stress on microstructure and failure morphology of low carbon steel under plane stress conditions. The study has revealed large extension of grains at the point of fracture and, stress and strain looped around the pearlitic faces of the microstructure matrix. The stress and strain distributions in the microstructure have shown that concentration of stress and strain on the pearlite were instrumental to oblique f...


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