Hybrid polymeric composites are gaining important consideration with versatile applications due to their good mechanical properties. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the hybridization effects of different laminate stacking sequence involving areca sheath fiber/jute fiber/glass-woven fabric through the study of mechanical properties of four different resulting composites. The fibers were alkali-treated and were used in composites fabrication that was done using the hand lay-up method. This assessment of mechanical properties and study of fractured surfaces indicated a significant improvement in mechanical properties of the composites with jute fiber as intermittent layers, areca sheath fiber as a core layer, and glass fabrics as skin layer reinforced epoxy composites. An attempt to prove the application suitability of “L” frame for flower stand application was fabricated using the best mechanical behavior performer composite, and the ANSYS (deformation) analysis was also performed.

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The current study deals with the effective usage of Portunus sanguinolentus shell, which is a solid waste in the seafood industry. This Portunus sanguinolentus shell waste was powdered and used as untreated fillers in jute fabrics reinforced epoxy composites. Then Portunus sanguinolentus shell waste powder was treated with chemicals to perform fat removal, deproteination, decarbonization and deacetylation to obtain treated Portunus sanguinolentus shell filler. Three different composites were developed with traditional hand layup process consisting of four layers jute fabrics that were filled with 10 wt% untreated Portunus sanguinolentus shell filler, chemical treated 10 wt% Portunus sanguinolentus shell filler and unfilled one. The thermo-mechanical and fracture morphologies were assessed by tensile, flexural, compression, shear, impact, hardness thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The results showed an increase in the thermo-mechanical property of chemical-treated Portunus sanguinolentus shell powder-filled jute fabrics-based epoxy composite. This phenomenon is due to the increase in the chitosan, mineral contents and decrease in the organic content in the Portunus sanguinolentus shell powder due to chemical treatment, thus enhancing the bonding between the filler and fiber matrix with reduction of the void. A showcase stand was developed with the best performer, as an attempt in the perfection of application. The application is then analyzed using ANSYS to predict the deformation behavior when subjected to 0.25 kg, 0.5 kg and 1 kg loads.

Different intake valve timings and fuel injection amounts were tested in order to identify their effects on exhaust emissions and combustion characteristics using variable valve actuation (VVA) in a Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine. The HCCI engine is a promising concept for future automobile engines and stationary power plants. The two-stage ignition process in a HCCI engine creates advanced ignition and stratified combustion, which makes the ignition timing and combustion rate controllable. Meanwhile, the periphery of the fuel-rich zone leads to fierce burning, which results in slightly high NOx emissions. The experiments were conducted in a modified single cylinder water-cooled diesel engine. In this experiment we use diesel, bio-diesel (Jatropha) and gasoline as the fuel at different mixing ratios. HCCI has advantages in high thermal efficiency and low emissions and could possibly become a promising combustion method in internal combustion engines.

This paper is aimed at a comparative investigation on two different velocity profiles for piston movement namely Sinusoidal and Trapezoidal Profiles for an IC Engine. In conventional IC Engine, velocity profile of piston motion is Sinusoidal. It has many disadvantages such as high mean velocity that leads to high inertial force, frictional losses, wear and high rate of heat leakages. Nearly 20% of the total power produced by the engine is dissipated into heat because of friction. Of this 20%, about 75% is due to friction of piston rings on the cylinder walls. This is an irreversible loss and can be seen as a consequence of high mean piston velocity associated with the existing Sinusoidal Piston Velocity Profile. In addition, varying velocity profile can cause rapid acceleration and finally jerks which lead to considerable mechanical vibration and noise. As a result the mechanical strength of engine material will be high to withstand the inertial force, friction and wear. To overcome these difficulties, an extensive attempt is made to improve the piston movement by restructuring the piston velocity profile with reduced mean velocity which is constant for most of the crank angle. A comprehensive experimental examination is conducted for the Sinusoidal velocity profile, which are utilized in arriving at an optimal CFD procedure through validation study. A proposed connecting rod configuration with internal gear and pinion arrangement is proposed to achieve different Trapezoidal Profiles. The optimum CFD procedure found from validation study is used to analyze and understand the engine with modified Trapezoidal Velocity Profiles. There is almost 20% reduction of mean piston velocity that considerably improves hydro-thermo dynamic and mechanical characteristics of the existing engine.

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In the present work, Areca Sheath and Flax fibres were selected as reinforcements. The selected fibres were treated with chemicals namely Hydrochloric acid, Sodium Hydroxide, and Benzyl Chloride. Four different composites were developed using the hand lay-up process, three composites based on treated fibres and one composite with untreated fibres for comparison. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis was done to study the functional groups present in the fibres. The developed composites were characterized for its mechanical characteristics namely tensile, flexural, impact and hardness as per ASTM. The tested composites were analysed for its morphological characteristics using Scanning Electron Microscopy. From the results, it was found that sodium hydroxide treatment to fibres was beneficial to improve its mechanical property when compared to the other composites.

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