Development and Calibration of Automated Multiple-Ring Infiltrometer

An automatic triple-ring infiltrometer was developed using a set of pre-set sensors and transducer (AP 403, AP 404, AP 405 and AP 406, RAP001 and RAP002). The aluminum probe sensors were graduated and arranged in series to monitor the rate at which water is infiltrating into the soil layer. The working principle of automatic triple-ring infiltrometer was developed using six probes with depth calibration of 1.0mm, 26.7 mm, 12.4 mm, and 12.7 mm, respectively. The result obtained showed strong agreement with a coefficient of determination R2= 0.963, indicating positive proportionality between cumulative infiltration and time taken for the water to infiltrate at different depths. The instrument has a measuring accuracy of ± 0.3mm infiltration depth. The device works effectively under biochar amended soil and other soil formations with high precision. Accurate infiltration data generated by the instrument would be applied to estimate the depth of water available to plant and predict possible agricultural drought.

Sensitivity of PR2 Capacitance Soil Moisture Meter for Irrigation Scheduling

Accurate soil moisture content measurement is essential for designing a robust irrigation scheduling and integrated water resources management (I.W.R.M.). Capacitance-based sensors have widely been used to monitor soil moisture at different measuring depths coupled with continuous and instantaneous outputs. This study's objective was to evaluate the PR2 capacitance moisture meter's performance on mineral and organic soil water content. The outputs of PR2 in m3 /m3 and vol.% were compared with gravimetrically measured soil moisture. The R.M.S.E. measurement at Site A at the first and second replicates increased from 0.49% to 0.67%. In contrast, the r2 value of 0.99 was obtained for the two replications when comparing the soil moisture content observed from gravimetric measurement and the automated outputs from the PR2 Probe soil monitor. The R.M.S.E. values were 0.48%, and 1.32% were estimated for the first and second replications at Site B. The result indicates that the PR2 Profile Probe could be a reliable alternative to other time-consuming, complex computer algorithms for accurate point measurement of soil moisture.

Sensitivity of PR2 Capacitance Soil Moisture Meter for Irrigation Scheduling

Accurate soil moisture content measurement is essential for designing a robust irrigation scheduling and integrated water resources management (I.W.R.M.). Capacitance-based sensors have widely been used to monitor soil moisture at different measuring depths coupled with continuous and instantaneous outputs. This study’s objective was to evaluate the PR2 capacitance moisture meter’s performance on mineral and organic soil water content. The outputs of PR2 in m3/m3 and vol.% were compared with gravimetrically measured soil moisture. The R.M.S.E. measurement at Site A at the first and second replicates increased from 0.49% to 0.67%. In contrast, the r2 value of 0.99 was obtained for the two replications when comparing the soil moisture content observed from gravimetric measurement and the automated outputs from the PR2 Probe soil monitor. The R.M.S.E. values were 0.48%, and 1.32% were estimated for the first and second replications at Site B. The result indicates that the PR2 Profile Probe could be a reliable alternative to other time-consuming, complex computer algorithms for accurate point measurement of soil moisture.

Development and Calibration of Automated Multiple-Ring Infiltrometer

An automatic triple-ring infiltrometer was developed using a set of pre-set sensors and transducer (AP 403, AP 404, AP 405 and AP 406, RAP001 and RAP002). The aluminum probe sensors were graduated and arranged in series to monitor the rate at which water is infiltrating into the soil layer. The working principle of automatic triple-ring infiltrometer was developed using six probes with depth calibration of 1.0mm, 26.7 mm, 12.4 mm, and 12.7 mm, respectively. The result obtained showed strong agreement with a coefficient of determination R2= 0.963, indicating positive proportionality between cumulative infiltration and time taken for the water to infiltrate at different depths. The instrument has a measuring accuracy of ± 0.3mm infiltration depth. The device works effectively under biochar amended soil and other soil formations with high precision. Accurate infiltration data generated by the instrument would be applied to estimate the depth of water available to plant and predict possible agricultural drought.

Cop Enhancement of Vapour Compression Refrigeration System

This experimental investigation exemplifies the design and testing of diffuser at compressor inlet and nozzle at condenser outlet in vapour compression refrigeration system with the help of R134a refrigerant. The diffuser with divergence angle of 12°,14° and the nozzle with convergent angle 12°,14° are designed for same inlet and outlet diameters. Initially diffusers are tested at compressor inlet diffuser is used with inlet diameter equal to exit tube diameter of evaporator and outlet tube diameter is equal to suction tube diameter of the compressor. Diffuser helps to increases the pressure of the refrigerant before entering the compressor it will be helps to reduces the compression work and achieve higher performance of the vapour compression refrigeration system. Then nozzles are testing at condenser outlet, whereas nozzle inlet diameter equal to discharging tube diameter of condenser and outlet diameter equal to inlet diameter of expansion valve. Additional pressure drop in the nozzle helped to achieve higher performance of the vapour compression refrigeration system. The system is analyzes using the first and second laws of thermodynamics, to determine the refrigerating effect, the compressor work input, coefficient of performance (COP).

Tribology and Maintenance of Machinery – A Review

The present paper considers the tribological principles on the maintenance of machinery whose three important areas are – Preventive, Condition Based and Proactive. Although breakdown is kept out of view, the morphology and analysis of failure provide important inputs for maintenance strategies. Condition based maintenance depends on three D’s – Detection, Diagnosis and Decision. In many machinery systems, the problem of predicting the remaining useful life – the Proactive part of the program, and evaluating the cost benefits are of enormous importance. Here the authors endeavor to highlight how the tribologist can significantly improve the maintenance practice.

Tribology and Maintenance of Machinery - A Review

The present paper considers the tribological principles on the maintenance of machinery whose three important areas are – Preventive, Condition Based and Proactive. Although breakdown is kept out of view, the morphology and analysis of failure provide important inputs for maintenance strategies. Condition based maintenance depends on three D’s – Detection, Diagnosis and Decision. In many machinery systems, the problem of predicting the remaining useful life – the Proactive part of the program, and evaluating the cost benefits are of enormous importance. Here the authors endeavor to highlight how the tribologist can significantly improve the maintenance practice

Evaluation of Vibration Amplitude Stepping and Welding Performance of 20 kHz and 40 kHz Ultrasonic Power of Metal Welding

Today ultrasonic power technique is consider a mandatory technique which is always entered in many processes such as in metal and plastic welding to overcomes many issues, with aided of applying force (pressure) and supplied high frequency vibration, a solid-state weld can be generated by ultrasonic metal welding technique. That give a technique the ability to join not only a small components, whereas also to join thicker specimens, depend on a proper control of matching welding conditions. Therefore a welding performance can be study and compared after designed welding horn to resonance at frequencies of 20 kHz and 40 kHz. The analyses of the designed horn are completed through use a vibration mathematical expressions, modal and harmonic analyses to ensure the weldability due to applying ultrasonic power to the working area and also to compare the performance of joint at using two resonance frequencies of 20 kHz and 40 kHz. The dimensions of the horns were determined to match the selected resonance frequencies, which the lengths were calculated as 132 mm and 66 mm respectively. The analysis of the exciting modal indicates that the axial vibration modes of 19,584Hz and 39,794Hz are obtained in 10th mode, while the two frequency values are recorded 19,600 Hz and 39,800 Hz from the frequency response of the two horns. The weld strength between Al and Cu specimens with a thickness 0.5 mm were evaluated using tensile test, which the analyses were obtained under using different welding pressure and varied amplitudes. The results were recorded within exciting a horn with two different resonance frequencies, show the enhancement of weld strength and quality through control of stepping amplitude, the enhancement means obtain good strength of the weld, reduce sticking horn to specimen, and lower specimen marking.

Evaluation of Vibration Amplitude Stepping and Welding Performance of 20 kHz and 40 kHz Ultrasonic Power of Metal Welding

Today ultrasonic power technique is consider a mandatory technique which is always entered in many processes such as in metal and plastic welding to overcomes many issues, with aided of applying force (pressure) and supplied high frequency vibration, a solid-state weld can be generated by ultrasonic metal welding technique. That give a technique the ability to join not only a small components, whereas also to join thicker specimens, depend on a proper control of matching welding conditions. Therefore a welding performance can be study and compared after designed welding horn to resonance at frequencies of 20 kHz and 40 kHz. The analyses of the designed horn are completed through use a vibration mathematical expressions, modal and harmonic analyses to ensure the weldability due to applying ultrasonic power to the working area and also to compare the performance of joint at using two resonance frequencies of 20 kHz and 40 kHz. The dimensions of the horns were determined to match the selected resonance frequencies, which the lengths were calculated as 132 mm and 66 mm respectively. The analysis of the exciting modal indicates that the axial vibration modes of 19,584Hz and 39,794Hz are obtained in 10th mode, while the two frequency values are recorded 19,600 Hz and 39,800 Hz from the frequency response of the two horns. The weld strength between Al and Cu specimens with a thickness 0.5 mm were evaluated using tensile test, which the analyses were obtained under using different welding pressure and varied amplitudes. The results were recorded within exciting a horn with two different resonance frequencies, show the enhancement of weld strength and quality through control of stepping amplitude, the enhancement means obtain good strength of the weld, reduce sticking horn to specimen, and lower specimen marking