Orthogonal Array Design Research Articles

Relative Testing of Neat Jatropha Methyl Ester by Preheating to Viscosity Saturation in IDI Engine - An Optimisation Approach

This paper investigates the effect of preheated Jatropha Methyl Ester (PJME) on the performance and emission characteristics of an indirect injection (IDI) diesel engine using combined Taguchi and Grey optimisation technique. For this purpose, PJME with different temperatures (50 °C to 100 °C), engine loads are considered as input factors and fuel consumption, thermal efficiency and exhaust emissions are output factors. Based on Taguchi orthogonal array design matrix, L18 experiments were conducted. The obtained results were analysed in Grey analysis and found that optimum performance and emissions for PJME at 60 °C with 50% load. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA) PJME influence factor is observed as 71.57% and a confirmation test is performed to validate the optimum parameters and observed both statistical and experimental are in good agreement. Finally, a full range of experiments was conducted for PJME at 60 °C and compared the results with diesel fuel. From the results, an appreciable reduction in exhaust emissions like CO, HC, and NO were observed for comparison, smoke and CO2 have also decreased to a marginal extent indicating that PJME can be taken as a replacement to diesel fuel.

In-vitro and ex-vivo characterization of novel mannosylated gelatin nanoparticles of linezolid by quality-by-design approach

The present study was aimed to develop and characterize novel linezolid (LNZ) loaded mannosylated gelatin nanoparticles (Mn-GNPs) using the Quality by Design (QbD) approach. The quality target product profile (QTPP) of the nanoparticulate formulation was defined and critical quality attributes (CQAs) were identified. The risk assessment and factor screening was done by Taguchi orthogonal array design to find out the most impacted factors affecting CQAs. A 33 Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was employed to further optimize the identified variables. The optimized LNZ loaded gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) were then surface-functionalized with mannose (Mn-GNPs) for selective targeting to alveolar macrophages. The particle size of the GNPs and Mn-GNPs were found to be 235.3 ± 11.3 nm with 0.127 ± 0.02 polydispersity index (PDI) and 379 ± 21.7 nm with 0.148 ± 0.03 PDI, while the percent entrapment efficiency (%EE) was 56.8 ± 2.1% and 51.3 ± 3.6%, respectively. Moreover, an in-vitro drug release study was performed and has shown the sustained drug release from both the formulations. This was further confirmed by kinetic studies. The formulations were also screened for ex-vivo haemolytic toxicity study to ensure the in-vivo safety. Thus, these studies revealed the importance and applicability of the QbD approach for the systemic development of nanoparticulate formulations.

Microextraction and gas chromatography–flame ionization determination of five antiepileptic drugs in biological samples using amino acid-based deep eutectic ionic liquids

This study investigated the use of amino acid-based deep eutectic solvents (AADESs) in the ultrasound assisted reverse-phase emulsification microextraction (UARPEME) of five antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) from biological samples. The extraction was performed by dispersing the AADES into the sample solution using ultrasonic irradiation. After completing extraction, the sample solution was centrifuged. Then, the pre-concentrated AEDs in the AADES (upper phase) were derivatized by adding phenyltrimethylammonium hydroxide solution to it. The derivatized analytes were then eluted with n-hexane and it was injected directly into the gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC–FID) system to determine target analytes after the methylation reaction inside the injection chamber. The effective parameters of the proposed AADES–UARPEME method that comprises three consecutive extraction, derivatization and elution steps, were optimized using one Taguchi orthogonal array design and two central composite designs and evaluated by analysis of variance. The optimized method was successfully implemented to analyze AEDs in the human biological samples (serum, urine, breast-milk and hair) and acceptable results were obtained. The resultant calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 0.5–850 μg/L (R2 > 0.998). The estimated limits of detection and quantification were lower than 0.5 μg/L and the improvement factors were between 1378 and 1409. The intra- and inter-day repeatability values varied below 5.3% (n = 5) and the relative recovery values were calculated between 90 and 110% for all samples.

Influence of Shot Peening on Surface Characteristics of Case Hardened SAE9310 Gear Material

The shot peening is the cold working process by which the compressive residual stresses are induced in the component, and that increases surface hardness, which can be helpful to avoid the fatigue failure of the component. Shot peening process is using to improve the fatigue life of the automobile and aerospace components. Effectiveness of the shot peening in surface characteristics can be measured by the Almen Intensity, Surface hardness and Surface roughness. The impact of shot peening on case-hardened differential bevel gear is defined in this study. In the shot peening process, the surface of the gear rammed by the small hardened cut wire shots with high velocity and overlapping indentations are created on the gear surface. Hence, thecharacteristics of surface of the gear can be greatly improved by shot peening. For bevel gears, bending fatigue crack is the major failure mode. This study is discussed to enhance the mechanical and surface properties of SAE9310 bevel gear by using the shot peening process. The optimization of shot peening process is done by including multi-performance characteristics i.e. Intensity, Surface hardness and surface roughness of the bevel gear. The analysis includes air pressure, nozzle distance, shot flow rate, exposure time as process parameters. The main objective of this study to decide the optimized shot peening process parameters for required performance characteristics and most influencing factors on surface layer characteristics. The experiments have been conducted using Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array design techniques.

OPTIMIZATION OF FATTY ACID GENERATION USING PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS

The objective of this study is to optimize the different parameters to carry out analysis of fatty acids. A kinetic was observed for first order enzymatic hydrolysis of flax seed methyl ester was carried out by using Rhizomucor michei. In this study the analysis of hydrolysis was carried out by varying the temperature (30-40oC) and enzyme load (2-5%). The optimal condition were found to temperature 50oC, 6h reaction time, buffer to flax seed methyl ester ratio 1.5:1(v/w) and 4% enzyme load to achieve a maximum hydrolysis conversion of 97.56%. The effect of temperature on the reaction rate constant and equilibrium constant has been determined using Arrhenius equation. The heat of reaction was found 14.516 KJ/mol. Taguchi's design of experiment L16 and L9 orthogonal array was performed to optimize hydrolysis reaction conditions. Rate of reaction, effect of temperature, enzyme modifier, pH and oil to buffer ratio were considered as a primary influencing parameters which effects the percentage of hydrolysis and fatty acid formed. From the analysis of variance, the influencing parameters on production of fatty acid were reaction time and enzyme modifier. The predicted conversion was found in good rectification with experimental values having R2=0.9945 and R2=0.983. Maximum fatty acid formed was 98.76% from methyl ester and 98.92% from oil.

An Improved Artificial Diet for Rearing Propylea japonica (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Larvae

Abstract Propylea japonica (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is an important natural enemy of insect pests of agricultural importance. An artificial diet is needed when insects upon which the predators feed are in limited supply. Larval mortality, duration of larval development, duration of the pupal stage, and adult weight were compared for various concentrations of nine ingredients of an artificial diet in an L9(3)4 multi-index orthogonal array design. A range analysis (“R” method) coupled with an integrated balance method determined that the theoretically optimal diet for P. japonica larvae was 6 g ground powder of Mythimna separata (Walker), 2 g yeast extract, 1 g sucrose, 0.08 g olive oil, and 29.42 g basic diet. After further testing, we found that this diet yielded a higher larval survival rate, longer larval period, longer pupal period, greater adult weight, and higher eclosion rate of P. japonica compared with the eight artificial diets tested.

Magnetic solid phase preconcentration of cadmium in water samples using sulfonic acid functionalized Kit-6 magnetite mesoporous nanocomposites followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

In this study, a simple and sensitive extraction method has been developed for preconcentration of trace amounts of cadmium ions using Kit-6 magnetite mesoporous nanocomposites (MMNCs) functionalized with sulfonic acid groups as adsorbent in solid phase extraction followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. For this purpose, the Kit-6 mesoporous silica was chemically synthesized on the surface of silica-coated magnetite core and functionalized by sulfonic acid groups to obtain Fe3O4@SiO2@Kit-6-SO3H. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, SEM, VSM and EDX methods. Various parameters affecting adsorption/desorption efficiencies were investigated using Taguchi orthogonal array design. The maximum extraction efficiency of cadmium ions was obtained at pH = 8, sorbent weight = 0.1 g, ionic strength = 0, stirring time = 15 min, sample volume = 100 mL, time of desorption = 5 min, concentration and volume of HCl solution as desorption solvent 0.1 M and 3 mL, respectively. The linear dynamic range, limit of detection, enhancement factor and relative standard deviation (RSD %) of the proposed method were obtained as 0.5–100 µg L−1 (R2 = 0.9982), 0.4 µg L−1, 26.9 and 3.5%, respectively. Finally, the study of proposed MMNC adsorbent for real sample and investigating the interference potential of foreign ions successfully confirmed the ability of MMNCs for preconcentration and determination of trace levels of cadmium ions.

Clean sandbox (Hura crepitans) oil methyl esters synthesis: A kinetic and thermodynamic study through pH monitoring approach

Abstract In this study, oil was extracted from underutilized sandbox seeds and converted into biodiesel via transesterification process using KOH as a base catalyst. The impact and optimum values of the essential process variables (methanol-to-sandbox seed oil (SSO) ratio, KOH loading, reaction temperature and reaction time) on the sandbox oil methyl esters (SBOME) yield were established via Taguchi orthogonal array design method. Kinetic modeling of the transesterification process was carried out by monitoring the pH of the reaction. Maximum SBOME yield of 97.10 ± 0.03 wt% could be achieved under optimal condition of methanol-to-SSO molar ratio of 6:1, KOH loading of 0.5 wt%, reaction temperature of 35 °C and reaction time of 25 min. The kinetics of the process followed a unimolecular pseudo-second order rate law with reaction rate of 0.0016 L/mol.min at 35 °C. The activation energy and frequency factor of the reaction were calculated to be 11.40 kJ/mol and 0.1362 L/mol.s, respectively. The ΔH‡, ΔS‡ and ΔG‡ for the process were determined as 8.76 kJ/mol, – 0.270 kJ/mol.K and 92.02 kJ/mol, respectively. The quality of the SBOME demonstrates that it could serve as a replacement for diesel as its properties complied with standard specifications for biodiesel. The kinetic data obtained in this study could be used in reactor design for the process.

Evaluation of Waste Electronic Product Trade-in Strategies in Predictive Twin Disassembly Systems in the Era of Blockchain

Manufacturing and supply chain operations are on the cusp of an era with the emergence of groundbreaking technologies. Among these, the digital twin technology is characterized as a paradigm shift in managing production and supply networks since it facilitates a high degree of surveillance and a communication platform between humans, machines, and parts. Digital twins can play a critical role in facilitating faster decision making in product trade-ins by nearly eliminating the uncertainty in the conditions of returned end-of-life products. This paper demonstrates the potential effects of digital twins in trade-in policymaking through a simulated product-recovery system through blockchain technology. A discrete event simulation model is developed from the manufacturer’s viewpoint to obtain a data-driven trade-in pricing policy in a fully transparent platform. The model maps and mimics the behavior of the product-recovery activities based on predictive indicators. Following this, Taguchi’s Orthogonal Array design is implemented as a design-of-experiment study to test the system’s behavior under varying experimental conditions. A logistics regression model is applied to the simulated data to acquire optimal trade-in acquisition prices for returned end-of-life products based on the insights gained from the system.

Modelling and optimisation of magnetic abrasive finishing process based on a non-orthogonal array with ANN-GA approach

ABSTRACT Magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) is an advanced precise finishing method that achieves micro-level to nano-level surface roughness. In industries, MAF is highly recommended where zero or negligible post-process surface defects are an obligatory requirement. In the same context, process optimisation is essential for making it commercially viable. This study presents an artificial neural network and genetic algorithm (ANN-GA), a robust modelling and optimisation tool (applicable to any sort of data set orthogonal array design or non-orthogonal array design) that is applied to scrutinise and improve the performance of the magnetic abrasive finishing of stainless steel SS302. In addition, the results from ANN-GA modelling and optimisation have been compared with conclusions drawn from conventionally used Taguchi-ANOVA analysis. An L27 non-orthogonal array design has been opted for as per machining set-up restriction. Abrasive size, voltage, machining gap, and rotational speed were the design variables considered in the present research work. It was found that the parametric design used in this study provides a straightforward, methodical, and proficient method of modelling and optimisation of change of surface roughness or finishing behaviour during the MAF process. Modelling and optimisation done with ANN-GA show a maximum value of (ΔR a)max equal to 0.256 µm, which is 7% better than the result obtained from Taguchi-ANOVA analysis.

Preliminary investigations of rotary ultrasonic neurosurgical bone grinding using Grey-Taguchi optimization methodology

PurposeIn present research work, the effects of rotational speed, feed rate and vibration amplitude have been investigated during novel method of ultrasonic-assisted bone grinding. During dissection of tumors, firstly a bone flap is removed near the target region to create passage for grinding burr. During abrasion, heat is produced, which sometimes increases the temperature to unsafe levels. So, efforts have been made to limit the temperature below the threshold levels of osteonecrosis during bone grinding.Design/methodology/approachThe temperature produced during osteotomy has been measured using infrared thermography camera during the implementation of L18 Taguchi orthogonal array design. Subsequently, main effect plots and contour plots have been presented to analyze and visualize the effect of grinding parameters on temperature rise during bone grinding. Furthermore, the process parameters have been optimized for optimum results for response characteristics using Taguchi SN ratio-based optimization methodology. For multiobjective optimization, the process parameters are further optimized using grey relational analysis.FindingsIt is revealed that all three process parameters substantially affect the response characteristics. The proposed optimization methodology is successfully applied on the experimental findings and the optimum results for change in temperature are found to be rotational speed = 3,000 rpm, feed rate = 20 mm/min, amplitude = 10 µm and for standard deviation are 5,000 rpm, 60 mm/min, 10 µm.Research limitations/implicationsThe present research findings cannot be generalized, and researchers are encouraged to further investigate the proposed rotary ultrasonic-assisted bone grinding at higher rotational speed up to 60k rpm on the skull bone.Originality/valueThe research on osteotomy is still at its initial phase, and continuous research is carried out for making patients’ life comfortable. In this direction, the authors have proposed a novel osteotomy method to limit the temperature below the threshold limit of osteonecrosis. The outcomes of the present study will be beneficial for the neurosurgeons working in this field.

Multivalent and synergistic chitosan oligosaccharide-Ag nanocomposites for therapy of bacterial infection

Chitosan oligosaccharide functionalized silver nanoparticles with synergistic bacterial activity were constructed as a multivalent inhibitor of bacteria. Placing the chitosan oligosaccharide on silver nanoparticles can dramatically enhance the adsorption to the bacterial membrane via multivalent binding. The multicomponent nanostructures can cooperate synergistically against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial activity was increased via orthogonal array design to optimize the synthesis condition. The synergistic bacterial activity was confirmed by fractional inhibitory concentration and zone of inhibition test. Through studies of antimicrobial action mechanism, it was found that the nanocomposites interacted with the bacteria by binding to Mg2+ ions of the bacterial surface. Then, the nanocomposites disrupted bacterial membrane by increasing the permeability of the outer membrane, resulting in leakage of cytoplasm. This strategy of chitosan oligosaccharide modification can increase the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles and accelerate wound healing at the same time. The nanomaterial without cytotoxicity has promising applications in bacteria-infected wound healing therapy.

Experimental investigation and optimization of micro-drilling parameters on Inconel 800 superalloy

ABSTRACT This work presents the experimental study and optimizing the micro-drilling parameters on geometrical accuracy in micro-drilling on Inconel 800. The geometrical accuracy of the holes is incorporating circularity, overcut, hole damage factor, and taper ratio. In addition to that, material removal rate, machining time, and temperature are taken for study. Micro-holes, based on Taguchi orthogonal array (L27) design, are drilled on the workpiece of 2 mm thickness using uncoated tungsten carbide tools. Medium tool diameter, low spindle speed, and high feed rate resulted in the reduction in the magnitude of machining temperature, machining time, minimum circularity, overcut, hole damage factor, and taper ratio with increased material removal rate. The feed rate, tool diameter, and spindle speed are the order of the influencing parameter on the geometrical accuracy of the hole. The number of holes drilled before tool breakage is 120 in magnitude. Further, the increase in circularity error by 1.12%, overcut, and taper ratio decrease by 60% and 25% from 1st to 120th hole at an optimal level of medium tool diameter, low speed, and high feed rate. From the investigation, 0.8 mm tool diameter can be chosen for micro-drilling of cooling holes in jet engines, printed circuited boards, and biomedical elements.

Optimization of powder metallurgy parameters of TiC- and B4C-reinforced aluminium composites by Taguchi method

In this work, an aluminium-based metal matrix composite material was developed via powder metallurgy considering various input process parameters. Sintering time, sintering temperature, and compaction pressure were the three main factors used as input process parameters, which were varied at three levels. The research was planned with reference to the experimental design of an L9 orthogonal array using a 3 × 3 matrix. The density, Vickers hardness, and compression strength were tested and analyzed. The influence of individual input parameters were analyzed using the Taguchi-based S/N ratio and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimum parameter levels to achieve low density, high hardness, and high compressive strength were identified through main effect plots. Experimental results indicate that the sintering temperature and compaction pressure strongly influence properties such as density and hardness. Similarly, compression strength depends mainly on sintering time and sintering temperature. Through ANOVA analysis, the optimum levels were confirmed for the process parameters sintering time, compaction pressure, and sintering temperature to produce the most favorable metal matrix composite material.

Modeling and optimization of machining parameters in milling of INCONEL-800 super alloy considering energy, productivity, and quality using nanoparticle suspended lubrication

Inconel-800 super alloy is a newly difficult-to-cut material. To improve the cutting conditions for this metal, sustainable methods in which minimum quantity lubrication enhanced with suspended nanoparticle were employed. This work also aims to model the relationship between process parameters (cutting speed, feed per tooth, depth of cut, and corner radius of cutting tool) and machining responses (surface roughness, specific cutting energy, cutting power, and material removal rate) using orthogonal array design of experiment and response surface methodology. Non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm was used to solve the multi-objective optimization problems in terms of energy, productivity, and quality of the machining process. The results indicate that the application of the response surface methodology model in combination with non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm is appropriate for this study due to the goodness of fit of response surface methodology and the global optimum solution of genetic algorithm. Because multi-objective optimization gives multiple solutions, Pareto plot and data mining are employed to support the selection of process parameters that can save time and cost and increase energy efficiency, meanwhile, simultaneously improve productivity and surface quality. The research results show that the specific cutting energy and energy consumption can be reduced up to 20.2% and 6.4%, respectively.

New Candidate Delivery System for Alzheimer’s Disease: Deferoxamine Nanogels

This study presents hydrogel nanoparticles made of chitosan and tripolyphosphate via ionotropic gelation technique to evaluate their potential for the association of deferoxamine. Since it has been shown that iron chelation therapy can be useful in the treatment of some neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, in this study, we attempted to evaluate the in vitro characteristics of deferoxamine-loaded nanogels for this purpose. Chitosan-based nanogels were prepared and optimized in terms of size by a Taguchi Orthogonal Array design. The spherical structure nanoparticles showed a uniform particle size of 63±2 nm with loading amount, Loading efficiency, and loading ratio of 8.48%±0.021, 26.1%±0.63, and 2.66%±1.88 respectively in optimum conditions. Further study revealed that this nanoparticulate system can be a suitable carrier for the entrapment and control release of small molecules such as deferoxamine.

The selection of optimum process parameters on A319 aluminum alloy in friction stir welding MCDM method

The main goal of this study is to research optimization process parameters for friction stir welding (FSW). The optimal parameter combinations have better tensile strength with combining decision model. Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) method is used to determine the optimum process parameters and suitable it is also for welding operation of Aluminum alloy A319. The friction stir welding parameters is considered for tool rotational speed (rpm), welding feed (mm/min) and tool pin diameter (mm). Taguchi L9 orthogonal array design experiments are mainly used to implement this operation. The Multi-criteria decision model for applying ARAS- method is proposed to solve this problem. The methodology has proved that the offered technology is suitable for finding the multi-criteria optimization for the process parameters in FSW.

Rapid and efficient chiral method development for lamivudine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate fixed dose combination using ultra-high performance supercritical fluid chromatography: A design of experiment approach

Fixed dose combination (FDC) of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and lamivudine (3TC) is one of the most preferred FDC for the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. To the best of authors’ knowledge there are no reported methods for chiral purity estimation of both drugs simultaneously from a FDC. The current study was focused on the development of a single chiral method uisng supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) for separation of stereoisomers of TDF and 3TC combination employing design of experiment (DoE) approach. Method development was planned in three steps by using different experimental designs for each step. I-optimal, Taguchi orthogonal array and face-centred central composite designs (CCD) were employed for primary parameter selection, secondary parameter screening and final method optimization, respectively. All six stereoisomers were separated in a 10 minute run on Chiralpak IA column with carbon di-oxide /methanol (containing 0.5 % v/v n-butylamine) as mobile phase at 1.5 mL/min in gradient mode. The optimized method was verified for performance through establishing specificity, precision, linearity, accuracy, limit of quantification, and solution stability. Resolution between each isomeric pair was more than 1.5. The method was found to be linear from 1.5 µg/mL to 7.5 µg/mL for 3TC and 7.5 µg/mL to 37.5 µg/mL for TDF stereoisomers. The R2 values for all the linearity curves for undesired isomers were greater than 0.995. The method proved to be rapid, reproducible and efficient to quantify stereoisomers of both drugs in a single run.

Optimization on the formulation of sizing to enhance the mechanical properties of basalt fiber

Sizing, a liquid mixture consisting of film former, coupling agent, antistatic and lubricant agents, is normally applied onto the surface of basalt fiber (BF) immediately after the filament was drawn from the melt. In this article, the effect of concentration of constituents in sizing on the mechanical properties of BF was investigated using a Taguchi method with orthogonal array design. The results showed that the Taguchi method is an effective way to formulate the sizing for BF, and there was a good agreement between wettability of sizing and enhancement to mechanical properties of BF. The concentration of main film former in sizing exhibited the strongest effect on governing the tensile strength of BF, followed by the concentrations of auxiliary film former and coupling agent. In addition, the chemical and physical interactions among the components in sizing should be considered when designing a suitable formula of sizing for BF.

Investigation of overall mass transfer coefficient of CO2 absorption in to aqueous blended Monoethanolamine (MEA), Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA) measured in Bubble column Reactor solution

Mixtures of different types of amine solution (primary Monoethanolamine (MEA), secondary : diethanolamine (DEA) and tertiary: triethanolamine (TEA) were experimentally used to investigation the overall mass transfer coefficient (KGa ) at different operating parameters. The experiments were made in a bubble column reactor (BCR) with 1.5 m in high and 0.1 m inside diameter as a gas-liquid contactor at 25°C and atmospheric pressure, using a simulation gaseous mixture (air, carbon dioxide) with recycle stream (circulation process). For efficient experimentation, the Taguchi method was applied for experimental design. A four factor and three levels was chosen for this study and it was exploded using L9 (34) orthogonal array design. These parameters for circulation process were namely: gas flow rate 10,15, and 20L/min, air flow rate100,150, and 200 L/h, liquid flow rate 5,10, and 15 L/min and time absorption time 30,60, and 90min. To understand the effectiveness order of different operating parameters, two factors namely, overall mass transfer coefficient (KGa ), and CO 2 loading (α) are to be exploded. A Shimadzu GC-8A Gas Chromatograph with thermal conductivity detector was used to measure the CO 2 concentration absorbed in aqueous blended solution. As per Taguchi analysis the significance sequence influencing the parameter and optimum condition can be determined. The maximum value for CO 2 loading was 3.439 (mol CO2/mol amine) at 20 L/min gas flow and 15 L/min liquid flow, and 200 L/h air flow for 60 min from absorption time. The performance was evaluated in terms of the overall mass transfer coefficient, KGav , the results show that max value of KGa was 0.08 S −1