Optimization and sensitivity analysis of magneto-hydrodynamic natural convection nanofluid flow inside a square enclosure using response surface methodology

This article studies buoyancy-driven natural convection of a nanofluid affected by a magnetic field within a square enclosure with an individual conductive pin fin. The effects of electromagnetic forces, thermal conductivity, and inclination angle of pin fin were investigated using non-dimensional parameters. An extensive sensitivity analysis was conducted seeking an optimal heat transfer setting. The novelty of this work lies in including different contributing factors in heat transfer analysis, rigorous analysis of design parameters, and comprehensive mathematical analysis of solution domain for optimization. Results showed that magnetic strength diminished the heat transfer efficacy, while higher relative thermal conductivity of pin fin improved it. Based on the problem settings, we also obtained the relative conductivity value in which the heat transfer is optimal. Higher sensitivity of heat transfer was, though, noticed for both magnetic strength and fin thermal conductivity in comparison to fin inclination angle. Further studies, specifically with realistic geometrical configurations and heat transfer settings, are urged to translate current findings to industrial applications.

     

Stabilization of self‐assembled microdroplets using short chain alcohols

The condensation of water vapor on a volatile polymeric solution leads to a porous surface after evaporation of both solvent and water. However, the stabilization of the water microdroplet is of great importance, which can be achieved using specific polymer or adding a third substance to the polymer solution. Short chain alcohols (methanol, ethanol, and n‐propanol) are utilized to fabricate a self‐assembled porous honeycomb film of linear, low molecular weight polystyrene using the breath figure technique. A combination of breath figure processing and the effect of alcohol on a water droplet can stabilize the pattern and make pores on the surface of the polymer film. The quality of the porous honeycomb film is strongly dependent on the type of alcohols and the concentration of polymer. In a specific range of polymer and alcohol concentration, pores cover all the surface of the polymer film. This method offers the possibility of producing a honeycomb structure with no trace of additive residual after the fabrication process and avoiding polymer modification. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 709–718     

A new mathematical model towards the integration of cell formation with operator assignment and inter-cell layout problems in a dynamic environment

This paper proposes a new mathematical model to solve the cell formation, operator assignment and inter-cell layout problems, simultaneously. The objectives of proposed model are minimization of inter–intra cell part trips, machine relocation cost and operator related issues. Since the objective function of the proposed model consists of none commensurable statements, the preferred solution is obtained by the LP-metric approach. In order to validate the proposed model, some numerical examples are generated randomly and solved by branch and bound technique. Moreover; a real case study is illustrated in order to verify its applicability in an automobile producer company. Moreover the sensitivity analysis of proposed model shows that considering the operator assignment problem has significant impact on the overall system efficiency.     

MWCNTs@NHBut/PTA: New efficient solid acid catalyst for solvent free synthesis of benzochromenopyrimidines

In this study, a novel and eco‐friendly synthesis of benzochromenopyrimidines catalyzed by phosphotugstic acid immobilized on aminated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs@NHBut/PTA) is reported. New solid acid catalyst was prepared through a simple process with good percentage of organo metallic groups and characterized with FTIR, TEM, SEM, EDX and TGA techniques. Reusable catalytic system provides a convenient, safe and green pathway to generate a variety of benzochromenopyrimidines under mild conditions.     

Shape control of nanostructured TiO2 using a Schiff base ligand via sol–gel hydrothermal method

Employing a Schiff base ligand in a hydrothermal sol–gel method for preparation of TiO₂ nanostructures was studied. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. It is shown that in the controlled reaction conditions, a Schiff base ligand containing hard atoms is capable of driving the growth mechanism in a way that anisotropic shapes of TiO₂ nanostructures are formed. Considering the structure of the Schiff base ligand, the possible growth mechanism of TiO₂ nanostructures is proposed. The optical studied as well as calculated molecular orbital structure of ligand by density functional theory is done.     

Optimization of the Co–Pi/α-Fe2O3 Catalyst Synthesis Parameters Using the Taguchi Method for Water-Splitting Application

Russian Journal of Electrochemistry - The use of hematite as a photoanode has been limited due to its optoelectronic properties and a large overpotential for photo-assisted water splitting. In this...     

Preparation of an efficient catalyst through injection of CuI on modified poly (styrene-co-maleic anhydride) and theoretical investigation of the structural and electronic properties of catalyst

A novel polymer supported [poly (styrene-co-maleic imide) (SMI)]Cu(I) nano-particles was prepared via in situ reaction of 4-amino-5-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione with [poly (styrene-co-maleic anhydride)] (SMA) along with immobilization of CuI. These nano-particles were fully characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis, Xray (EDAX), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis, ¹H NMR and FT-IR techniques. Moreover, the structural and electronic features of metal–ligand interactions in the complex model of polymer-supported copper nanocatalyst were assessed using density functional theory calculations. The catalytic activity of these supported Cu(I) nonoparticles was examined in one of the classiest name reaction so–called “click reaction” which is coined K. B Sharpless for the regioselective synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole derivatives using a multicomponent reaction (MCR) involving benzyl halides, sodium azide and terminal alkynes in water as a green solvent. This heterogeneous catalyst showed excellent catalytic activity and was separated by simple filtration and was used at least in five consecutive runs without a significant decrease in its activity.     

Energy,exergy and pinch analyses of an integrated cryogenic natural gas process based on coupling of absorption–compression refrigeration system,organic Rankine cycle and solar parabolic trough collectors

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The natural gas entering the liquefaction cycle usually consists of nitrogen, ethane, propane and also heavier hydrocarbons which are economically...