LIST OF IN-HOUSE DISSERTATION TITLES FOR M.TECH (THERMAL) STUDENTS (2013-14) Topics Proposed by Dr R N Patel 1.

) Experimental investigations of a downdraft biomass gasifier-spark ignition engine power system Objectives: To understand the working of biomass gasifier with different feedstock To learn combustion chemistry To study the effect of particle size on Gasifier-Engine performance To study effect of particle size on engine emission 2.) Theoretical investigations of a downdraft biomass gasifier-spark ignition engine system Objectives: Development of mathematical model to predict performance of a downdraft gasifier/spark ignition engine. Kinetic study through TGA Prediction of molar concentration of different species in syngas Prediction of temperature profile Validation of model results with available (published literature) results

3.) Performance evaluation of Down draft gasifier on multi-fuels Objectives: To evaluate the gasifier on multi-fuels such as babul wood, groundnut shell briquettes, groundnut shell, mixture of wood and groundnut shell, Castor cell in the different ratio. To evaluate the gasifier performance in terms of fuel consumption rate, calorific value of producer gas and gasification efficiency.

4.) Design and development of vacuum pyrolysis set up (Lab scale- batch type) This work consists of the understanding of vacuum pyrolysis process for
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extraction of fuel/chemicals from biomass. It involves the design and development of lab scale unit. The experiments will be conducted with various biomass at different temperatures/vacuum to understand the effect of operating parameters on the yield of bio oils. The bio oils are to be analyzed by GC or GCMS. Total cost involved for fabrication and oil analysis is @2 lakh. If student selects the topic, separate fund may be requested from university under MRP.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Topics Proposed by Dr V J Lakhera Studies on Pool Boiling over Enhanced Surfaces The boiling characteristics over surfaces are influenced by the surface roughness as well as nucleation sites which can be created by various mechanical as well as deposition processes. The studies will involve pool boiling heat-transfer measurements on plain tubes and on various enhanced surfaces created for the boiling applications The data will be taken at atmospheric pressure, and at various heat fluxes. Studies on Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient for Building Elements The work relates to the determination of overall heat transfer coefficient (U value) for various building elements using the Guarded Hot Box Method. The work will be an extension of the theoretical/CFD work carried out in this direction by previous students. Development of an Effective, Eco-friendly Thermal Insulation for Thermal Comfort The work relates to the development of an effective, economic and eco-friendly thermal insulation using the available resources. The student is expected to explore the qualities of such an insulation and its preparation. Subsequently the insulation product will be tested for various properties. Investigations related to Thermal Performance of Micro-channels and Heat Pipes As micro-scale heat transfer studies are becoming relevant in many practical applications, this project will involve related theoretical/experimental work. The studies will be useful in further design of micro-scale heat exchange/fluid flow systems. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2

Topics Proposed by Prof A M Lakdawala 1.) Numerical Study on Heat Transfer Enhancement Using Delta Winglet in Heat Exchanger Fin-and-tube heat exchangers are widely employed in many power engineering and chemical engineering applications, especially in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems. Generally, a liquid flows through the tubes and a gas flows through the channels formed by the neighboring fins. Because the thermal resistance of gas is inherently higher than that of liquid, the dominant thermal resistance of fin-and-tube heat exchanger is usually on the gas side (generally airside), which may account for 85% or more of the total thermal resistance. The use of enhanced fin surface is the most effective way to improve the overall performance of the fin-and-tube heat exchanger to meet the demand of high efficiency and low cost. Fins employed on the gas side can increase the heat exchanger surface area and strengthen the flow disturbance. Typically, these enhanced surfaces are developed from corrugated fin to interrupted fin (such as slits, louvers, and offset-strip fin). The wavy surface can periodically change the main-flow direction and cause better flow mixing; the slit or louvered-fin can periodically interrupt the main-flow, break and renew the thermal boundary layer. Following things has been planed: The air-side heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of wavy fin-and-tube heat exchanger with delta winglets will be investigated numerically. The threedimensional simulations will be performed with renormalization-group (RNG) k - model to lay the foundation for the design of the high-performance heat exchanger. The wavy fin-and-tube heat exchangers with staggered or in-line arrangements will be studied and compared with each other. Few numerical results will be compared with experimental results or available standard results. The co-guide for the project will be Prof N K Shah 2.) Feasibility Study of NOx Reduction by Exhaust Gas Recirculation in Bio Diesel Fueled C I Engine. Environmental degradation and depleting oil reserves are major concerns round the globe. Developing countries like India depend heavily on oil import. Diesel being the main transport fuel in India, finding a suitable alternative to diesel is an urgent need. Modification of diesel engines and fuel to reduce emissions has been a subject of numerous studies over the years in India and abroad. Many such studies have previously focused on fuel changes, such as reduced aromatic content (higher cetane number), reduced fuel sulfur, increased fuel volatility, and decreased fuel density. Bio-diesel is emerging as an alternate fuel for IC engines. According to literature, it is found that 20% substitution of diesel with bio-diesel is feasible. However, use of biodiesel diesel blend increases the NOx emission. Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) is a technique by which NOx emissions can be minimized. In the proposed project the performance emissions and combustion parameters of C I engine will be measured
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with different blends of diesel- biodiesel at different percentage of EGR. Proposed project will be implemented in two stages: Stage 1: The physico-chemical properties of different blends and base fuel will be measured and compared. Stage-2: the performance and emission analysis will be carried out with different blend of biodiesel-diesel at different percentage of EGR. From this analysis optimum blend with optimum percentage of EGR will found out for minimum emission and combustion study will be carried out on this optimum blend. Objective of the proposed project: To find out the effect of biodiesel on physico-chemical properties of the biodieseldiesel blends. Optimization of biodiesel-diesel blend and % recirculation of exhaust gas for minimum emissions. To carry out combustion study with optimum blend The co-guide for the project will be Dr R N Patel

3.) Numerical Investigation of Flow Induced Vibration for the Triangular Array of Circular Cylinder. This is an ongoing project wherein, preliminary studies have been carried out by the previous students. However, physical insight of this problem at higher Reynolds number is still lacking. Followings are the objectives of the preset proposal. Flow Induced Vibration (FIV) in Cross Flow around Triangular Array of Circular Cylinders with two-degree of freedom is required to study numerically, where the cylinder will be allowed to vibrate in the transverse (cross-flow) and longitudinal directions. Computational domain, Grid, Time step was optimized by performing Domain independent study, Grid independent study, Time step independent study in the previous study. Hence, straight away the computations are required to carry out at high Reynolds number range of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 104 with multi-cylinder with change in upstream cylinder positions at , , and and varying pitch and , Using FLUENT. The detailed analysis on effects of Reynolds number at on flow parameters such as drag coefficient lift coefficient, pressure coefficient, Strouhal number, lift and drag forces and vorticity are required to establish. Note that in the previous study motion of the cylinders (Vibration equations) and fluid flow (Flow conservation equations) were decoupled from each other. However, to take the study forward, this time it is proposed to coupled motion of the cylinders and fluid flow using solid fluid interaction algorithm available in ANSYS FLUENT 14. The co-guide for the project will be Prof B A Shah
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4.) Design and Optimization of Air Cooled Heat Exchanger and its Validation with HTRI. In this study it is required to explores the use of a non-traditional optimization technique; Genetic Algorithm (GA), for optimization of air cooled heat exchanger. In the first part of the project, air cooled heat exchanger will be designed using a number of design variables i.e. shell inner diameter, tube outer diameter, tube thickness, tube pitch, tube layout angle, tube material and so on. Bell-Delware based methodology is decided to use for the same. It is also decided to explores the use of Genetic Algorithm (GA) to optimize the cost of heat exchanger using four variables for optimization of design i.e. shell inner diameter, tube outer diameter, tube thickness, and tube material. The objective function based on the capital cost will be derived and same will be used for optimization. Finally, the objective of the project is to validate the optimized design with one obtained from the commercial package (HTRI). The co-guide for the project will be Prof N K Shah 5.) Numerical Investigation on Performance Parameters of Single Cyclone Separator (used in Chemical Industries). Cyclone Separator is a means of purifying air stream by using both gravitational and centrifugal forces. Cyclonic separation is a method of removing particulates from air, gas or water stream, without the use of filters, through vortex separation. Rotational effects and gravity are used to separate mixtures of solids and fluids. Various application includes: Vacuum cleaners, Steel industries, Cement industries, Mineral industries etc. In the first part of the present study the objective is to create geometric model (CAD Model) using actual data of industrial cyclone separator. The geometric model will be used to validate proposed CFD methodology with actual data. In the second part of the project, four different designs, derived from the careful study on the phenomenon of cyclone separator, will be proposed. CFD simulations will be carried out on these designs. The optimum design will be selected from the comparison of the performance parameter (pressure drop) of the proposed designs. NOTE: Design and performance parameters of industrial cyclone separator is already collected. The same will be used for the validation in the first part of the project.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Topics Proposed by Prof N K Shah 1. ) CFD analysis of Internal Combustion Engine Processes Internal combustion engines are the main power plants of transportation systems. In
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recent decades larger emphasis is being given to improve engine efficiency and decrease emissions coming out from engines. For this one needs to study what is happening inside the engine in detail. One way to reduce emissions and increase efficiency is to modify the combustion chamber, for which understanding the fluid dynamics and thermo chemical behaviour inside the combustion chamber of the engine cylinder becomes pertinent. Models of varying levels of complexibility, ranging from simple zero dimensional models to multidimensional models are available for analyzing engine performance. The objective of this project is to do numerical simulation to investigate the incylinder thermal fluid analysis using a FLUENT software code for 3D geometries. Parametric study of various operating and design parameters on performance of engine turbulence and engine output is to be studied. Co guide: Prof A M Lakdawala

Modeling and Simulation of Microchannel Flow in Slip Flow Regime and Transition Flow Regime The rapidly growing interest in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) has also stimulated a great interest in modeling and simulation methods for microflows. In particular, the gaseous flow through a microchannel has become an important because of its applications in microdevices. When gas flow takes place in microchannel due to its small size, gas becomes rarefied and normal continuum approach is not valid. Objective of this project is modeling and simulation of gas flow in microchannel in slip flow regime and transition flow regime using available code. This can be achieved using Numerical Technique Direct Simulation Monte Carlo method. The said work can be possible up to certain extent by solving Navier Stoke Equation with slip boundary condition. A finite volume numerical technique needs to be applied for solving N-S equation.

3.) Heat Transfer Enhancement using Nano Fluids A nanofluid is the suspension of nanoparticles i a base fluid. Nanofluids are promising fluids for heat transfer enhancement due to their anomalously high thermal conductivity. The enhanced thermal behaviour of nanofluids could provide a basis for an enormous innovation for heat transfer enhancement in various industrial sectors. In this project experimental investigation are to be carried out to determine heat transfer enhancement using nanofluid. Parametric study included effects of particle volume fraction, particle size, particle types and temperature. Co guide : Prof A M Lakdawala

4.)Life cycle Analysis of CI Engine Fueled with Bio Fuel and Additives There are enormous numbers of experimental research work is carried out and going on in the area of bio fuels as a supplementary fuel for CI engine. In this work major emphasis to investigate characteristic of engine life cycle by studying wear and tear analysis of CI Engine fueled with bio fuel, diesel and additives blend. Mentioned life cycle analysis will be carried out by long duration experimental Investigations of CI Engine as per IS 10000-Part IV. Before carrying out endurance tests piston, piston rings, cylinder, cylinder head, valves mechanical properties and dimension will be measured. A no. of test of 16 hours as per IS 10000 Part IV is planned in which at every sets readings of mechanical properties and performance will be noted. Also analysis of oil properties will be carried out. After completion of test once again mechanical properties and dimensions are to be measured and based on result analysis conclusion is derived for endurance test. Co guide : Dr R N Patel

Performance and Emission Analysis of CI Engine fuel with pre heated Vegetable Oil Oil reserves are depleting and emission norms are become stringent. An alternate fuel can help in solving this problem. Various researchers carried out performance and emission analysis to use various alternate fuels manufactured from various vegetable oil. However production cost of such manufacture is not at par with present cost of diesel. The main problem with vegetable oil is its viscosity which is too high to be used directly in CI engine. In this project viscosity of vegetable oil will be reduced using heat of exhaust gases in heat exchanger. This preheated vegetable oil will be used in CI engine and performance, emission analysis, wear and tear analysis and oil quality analysis will be carried out. Co Guide: Prof A M Lakdawala

Topics Proposed by Prof S V Jain Experimental Investigations on Pump as Turbine (PAT) for Micro hydropower plants. (This is a Minor Research Project funded by GUJCOST, Gandhinagar)

Co-guide: Dr R N Patel. In rural, remote and hilly areas of India, power scenario is characterized by poor and unreliable supply of electricity. In such regions, the power cut may vary from 2-20 hrs in a day. Conversely, the huge amount of hydro energy is wasted in nearby canals and rivers. In such locations, micro hydro (upto 100 kW) power plants can be installed. In micro hydro range, standard turbines for specific range of head and discharge may not be readily available in the market and considering the low capacity of plants, it may not be cost-effective to design a typical turbine for particular site. The efficiency of PAT is usually lower than that of conventional hydro turbines; however, the efficiency of such machine is not the primary selection criterion and the operation of PAT is usually recommended at the maximum attainable efficiency. In recent years, pump as turbine (PAT) is gaining increased importance in view of various advantages associated with pumps like low cost, ready availability, ease in repair & maintenance etc. Also, use of PAT in the range of 1 to 500 kW may lead to capital payback period of the order of two years or even less which is considerably less than that with a conventional turbines. The main disadvantage of PAT is its poor part load efficiency, to improve which installation of guide vane mechanism is in progress at present. The detailed experiments are yet to be performed. Also, the cavitation behavior of pump in turbine mode will be different from that in pump mode. Hence, to improve the PAT performance, it is required to carry out cavitation analysis of PAT. The objectives of the project are: To study the performance of PAT at different guide vane openings To design and fabricate vacuum pumping system To carry out experimental investigations on PAT under cavitating conditions To modify the draft tube considering prevailing conditions Parametric studies on Pump as Turbine (PAT) using CFD analysis In micro hydro range (upto 100 kW) standard turbines for specific range of head and discharge may not be readily available in the market and considering the low capacity of plants, it may not be cost-effective to design a typical turbine for particular site. Hence, some low cost option like PAT can be installed in such plants. The efficiency of PAT is usually lower than that of conventional hydro turbines. To improve its performance some low cost modifications can be made like: blade rounding, impeller trimming, enlarging suction eye dia. of impeller, effects of rib removal etc. These effects can be studied using CFD analysis (same can be implemented in experimental setup for other M Tech project). The cavitation behavior of pump in turbine mode will be different from that in pump mode. Hence, to understand the root cause for cavitation and its effects on PAT performance, CFD analysis of PAT can be carried out under cavitating conditions. The objectives of the present study are: To develop three-dimensional computational model of PAT using commercial

CFD package FLUENT or CFX To predict the operating characteristics of PAT at design and off-design conditions and to validate the same with experimental results To study the effects of various modifications like: blade rounding, impeller trimming, enlarging suction eye dia. of impeller, effects of rib removal etc. To carry out cavitation analysis of PAT using CFD software To validate the results with the experimental work to be done in other M Tech project and literature

Parametric studies on Vertical Axis Wind Turbine using CFD Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are a type of wind turbine where the main rotor shaft is set vertically and the main components are located at the base of the turbine. The advantages of this arrangement are: generator and gearbox can be placed close to the ground, which makes these components easier to service and repair. Also, yaw control is not required with change in direction of the wind. Savonius wind turbine is used for converting the force of the wind into torque on a rotating shaft. In one of the current M Tech project, experimental investigations were carried out on 5-blde Savonius turbine. In which, the effects of number of vanes and angle of vane were studied. Further, parametric studies can be carried out with numerical simulation to study the effects of various parameters like: aspect ratio, number of stages, radial distance of the blade from the axis etc. To improve its performance its blade profile can be changed. Possibility of combined Savonius and Darrieus turbine can be explored. In addition, possibility of using energy generated by wind turbine for mechanical appliances can be explored. The objectives of the present study are: To develop three-dimensional computational model of Savonius wind turbine using commercial CFD package FLUENT To predict the operating characteristics at design and off-design conditions and to validate the same with experimental results (done earlier) To carry out numerical simulation to study the effects of various parameters like: aspect ratio, number of stages, radial distance of the blade from the axis etc. To optimize the blade profile to improve the performance To explore the possibility of analysis of combined Savonius and Darrieus turbines To validate the results with literature Numerical Investigations on artificially roughened solar air heater Solar air heaters have low thermal efficiency because of low convective heat transfer coefficient between the air and the absorber plate which leads higher temperature to the absorber plate and causes maximum thermal losses. The main thermal resistance to heat transfer from absorbing plate to the flowing air is formation of laminar sub layer on the heat transferring surface. It is recommended to break this laminar sub layer in order to augment the heat transfer at the surface. The use of artificial

roughness on a surface is considered to be an effective technique for enhancement of heat transfer in such ducts. Artificial roughness can be employed for the enhancement of heat transfer coefficient between the absorber plate and air hence improving the thermal performance of solar air heater. However, more friction will occur as the laminar sub layer is broken resulting in more pumping power required to propel the air through the duct. CFD simulations of solar air heater with various artificially roughened surfaces in the form of wires, ribs and their combinations in transverse and inclined positions with different Reynolds numbers, relative pitch, relative roughness height and aspect ratio of the duct can be carried out. The objectives of the present study are: To develop three-dimensional computational model of solar air heater using commercial CFD package FLUENT To analyze its thermo-hydraulic performance and validation with literature To study the effects of various artificially roughened surfaces in the form of wires, ribs and their combinations in transverse and inclined positions with different Reynolds numbers, relative pitch, relative roughness height, aspect ratio of the duct etc

Topics Proposed by Prof B A Shah 1.) Experimental investigation and analysis on a concentrating solar collector using linear Fresnel lens Description: A concentrating solar collector based on linear Fresnel lens is to be investigated experimentally in this project. In order to make analysis, a mathematical model for evacuated tube absorber heated by linear Fresnel lens is to be built. The validation of that the model with the experimental data is to be carried out. The influence of ambient conditions and the percent of different types of energy loss, etc., are also to be analyzed.

2.) Performance Investigation of Pulse tube refrigerator with different regenerative materials Description: The device used to produce the cryogenic temperature is called a cryocooler or cryorefrigerator. Different types of refrigerators such as Stirling refrigerator, Gifford McMahon refrigerator and pulse tube refrigerators are most commonly used. Pulse Tube Refrigerators have attracted much interest because of their potential for high reliability and no moving parts at low temperatures. Based on student project of DIPTR(Double Inlet PTR) a test rig can be developed to study the effects of various mesh size and material of regenerator wire mesh at different working pressure and pulse rate.

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