Though synthetic fibres exhibit superior properties and performance compared to many natural fibres, the latter has still strong acceptance in many applications. Unconventional natural fibres are often explored due to their eco-friendliness and availability in many regions. Such fibres are often used in the low cost composites, technical applications such as ropes and cordages. Borassus flabellifer L fibres, the extracts from the coverings of toddy palm fruits of palmyrah palm trees, represent the naturally available cellulosic fibres with various unique properties compared to other natural cellulosic fibres. The structural aspects and physical properties show good potential for this fibre in future.

No abstract

Heat exchangers, condensers plays a vital role in any kind of power cycle like modified Rankin cycle, these components involves transfer of both sensible and latent heat and have great influence over the power plant performance. The condenser employed in MTPS involves transfer of latent heat into steam. Yet it as to induce a phase change in thereby forming water. Increase in the effectiveness of condenser resulted in the increase of vacuum in the condenser. Thereby work done by steam is increased and coal saving (per ton of steam production) is achieved. This condensation process results in the formation of sludge’s (temporary) and (permanent). Along the inner periphery of the condenser tubes. These permanent scales have decreased thermal conductivity and inhibit the heat transfer rate. The more the thickness of the scale the less the heat is removed from the steam. This scale formation limits the life of the condenser tubes with maximum performance. In this project the thickness of the scale formed in the condenser tubes is calculated theoretically and the performance is analysed before and after scale formation in the condenser. Different materials which involve less scale formation, different ways of reducing scales and various scale removing methods are suggested.

No abstract

Barium Strontium Titanate (BST), with the general formula Ba 1-x Sr x Ti O 3 hold perovskite phase of Tetragonal Tungsten Bronze (TTB) structure was considered as promising lead-free ferroelectric material. DSC, XRD, HRTEM and SEM analysis confirms the calcination temperature, phase purity, particle size and microstructure of the barium strontium titanate ferroelectric materials prepared. Unlike other materials,the BST exhibits ferroelectricity over wide composition range 0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.30 and 0.20 ≤ x ≤ 0.80, respectively. It delivers an opportunity to design BST based ferroelectric with desired properties to meet the requirements ofdevicefabrication such as phase shifters and voltage-controlled oscillators.