Development of an NCAM motorized GRAIN GRUEL (Soy Bean) sieving machine

A survey carried out on conventional or traditional method of sieving wet grains showed that the method consumes time, energy, has low output and efficiency and is also hazardous to health due to low level of hygiene involved. A motorized grain gruel machine was developed at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin Nigeria. The machine consists of four major units which are hopper, seiver, separator and the discharge unit. The machine’s performance was evaluated at different water volumes (16.5, 18.5 and 20.5 liters) and at three different operating speeds namely 65.3 rpm, 115.0 rpm and 126.0 rpm. The parameters evaluated are; sieving efficiency, through put and output capacity. The data were analyzed using the New Duncan multiple range test (Post Hoc Test) method and linear regression model was used to establish the relationship between the independent variables with the dependent variable, which was optimized using pulp in python version 2.9 frame work. Results show that the machine performed higher at 20.5litres and 126 rpm to a maximum sieving efficiency of 85.08% and 86.48% respectively, but was optimized to the range of 88.35-92.5% in sieving efficiency and 19.42-23.42kg/hr in output capacity. Also the analysis showed that water volume used had more significant effect on the efficiency and other variables such as the throughput and the output capacity respectively, than the operation speed. It was concluded from the results that the machine saved time and energy, reduced material wastage and hazards and therefore is more efficient than the conventional method. It is recommended that further evaluations should be carried out on the machine using a wider variety and species of grains samples.

Thrust characteristics of compact high-voltage pulsed plasma thruster utilizing liquid propellant

In this work, we present the results on thrust performance of 0.5 kg sub-joule pulsed plasma thruster prototype based on a high-voltage transformer with magnetic storage capable of work at frequency of 400 Hz. The discharge unit is made of ferroelectric ceramics with an option for utilizing liquid propellant. In case of vacuum oil as a propellant, we obtained values of thrust of ~ 80 nN·s per discharge and 33 μN·s for 400 pulses in 1 second.

Operation problems of booster pumping stations during the development of the Imilorskoye oil field

The article is devoted to the problems of operating a booster pumping station in the process of developing an oil field. During operation, the water cut of the product increases, and accordingly there is a need for engineering solutions that ensure the preservation of the throughput of the site, a decrease in the proportion of water in the oil produced, and a decrease in the workload of the operating techno­logical equipment. The practical significance of the article is due to the solution of the above-described problem by designing a booster pumping station and installing a preliminary water discharge in two independent stages, which will make it possible to put into operation first a booster pumping station, then, as fluid production increases, a preliminary discharge of produced water. This solution allows you to maintain the throughput of the site, to prepare field oil for reception at the central points of reception and preparation of oil. When designing and implementing the first stage, connection points, land acquisition, power supply are provided, taking into account the promising stage. The commissioning of the preliminary water discharge unit solves the problem of maintaining the throughput of the pipeline section to the receiving point and, at the same time, is a source of water for maintaining reservoir pressure.

Influence of structural descriptions of underbody of bicarbonate columns on duration of period of their operation and ecologization of process

Object of research: optimization of the operation period of bicarbonate columns by optimizing their design features. Investigated problem: increasing the efficiency, environmental friendliness and duration of the bicarbonate columns by optimizing the design of the sludge discharge unit. Main scientific results: the article analyzes the main design features of bicarbonate columns for the production of purified sodium bicarbonate. A relationship has been established between the design of the apparatus, the intensity of mixing and the duration of the apparatus operation without stopping for washing. On the basis of the existing problems, laboratory and industrial experiments were carried out at one of the soda plants, aimed at increasing the efficiency of operation of the bicarbonate columns of the purified sodium bicarbonate shop. So, due to the modernization of the design of the sludge unloading unit and the identification of the optimal amount and month of the location of the mesh trays, an increase of 1.5-2 times in the duration of operation of the columns without stopping for washing was achieved. This contributed to an increase in plant productivity and environmental friendliness of the process due to a decrease in the amount of liquid waste generated during the washing of the column equipment. Area of practical use of the research results: enterprises for the production of purified sodium bicarbonate of food and pharmaceutical quality. Innovative technological product: design solutions for bicarbonate columns and the technology of carbonization of soda-bicarbonate solution for the production of purified sodium bicarbonate. Scope of application of the innovative technological product: soda production, food and pharmaceutical industries.

Calling time on the ‘dance of the blind reflex’: how collaborative working reduced older persons ’length of stay in acute care and increased home discharge

Background: A practice development project was undertaken with nurses from acute, older persons, primary care and rehabilitation services across two counties in the north east of the Republic of Ireland over a 12-month period in 2018-19. For acute hospital patients aged over 65 years, the average length of stay in 2017 was 44.44 days; for medical patients it was 55.69 days. The average length of stay on the pre-discharge unit was 36.5 days, after which 54% of patients transferred to nursing homes, 14% to rehabilitation services and 18% to home. Aims and objectives: The objectives were to provide a more person-centred, integrated approach to care across the services, to facilitate patient and family involvement in care planning and to understand why so few patients transferred home, with the aims of reducing lengths of stay in the acute hospital and increasing the number of patients going home. Methods: Person-centred and Lean Six Sigma approaches were combined. Lean Six Sigma provided the framework for data collection, analysis, planning and scheduling, while engagement within the team and with other colleagues, patients and their families was underpinned by person-centred principles. Results: The project resulted in an average reduction in length of stay on the pre-discharge unit of 16 days. More than 47% of patients are now being discharged home compared with 18% in 2017. Conclusion: A combination of Lean Six Sigma and person-centred approaches was used to shift from the status quo and transform care by implementing process changes that promoted better communication and facilitated a smoother transition for patients through the services. This combination was effective in promoting a culture that supports patients and their families to determine and achieve their preferred health outcomes. Implications for practice: Understanding culture and context within healthcare organisations is an essential part of practice development, especially in cross-service initiatives Creating a shared vision across all services that puts the patient at the centre of care supports patients and families to choose and achieve their care preferences Lean Six Sigma and person-centredness can be used in combination to design person-centred improvements that benefit staff, patients and their families

The dynamics of a laden skip of the shaft pneumatic winding plant during acceleration

Introduction. Ratios for calculating the laden skip acceleration and speed at the motion start are required to calculate skip pneumatic winding plant cycle components. The ratios are the solution to the skip dynamics equation which takes into account the relationship between the flow generated by a power unit and air pressure. Research methodology. The dynamics equation including the dependence of the pressure on the flow rate (aerodynamic characteristic) in a general form is compiled. In a special case of the unit’s physical model, a discharge unit with a linear aerodynamic characteristic is used. Research result. For a particular case, equations are obtained that allow to theoretically describe the kinematic parameters of a skip in the period of unsteady motion. It is established that the skip acceleration, velocity and displacement are asymptotic functions. The obtained expressions for kinematic parameters make it possible to theoretically determine the duration of the acceleration period and the path that the ISSN 0536-1028 «Известия вузов. Горный журнал», № 1, 2021 121 skip takes during this period. A method for calculating skip dynamics during acceleration is proposed, which contains approximating formula conclusion for the power unit aerodynamic characteristics, its substitution into the dynamics equation, and obtaining skip kinematic parameters by solving the dynamics equation. Conclusion. The obtained relations allow to calculate skip dynamics during acceleration taking into account power unit aerodynamic characteristics, which is necessary to determine the working cycle time of the pneumatic winding plant.

Setting up and operating a cryo-EM laboratory

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has become the technique of choice for structural biology of macromolecular assemblies, after the ‘resolution revolution’ that has occurred in this field since 2012. With a suitable instrument, an appropriate electron detector and, last but not least, a cooperative sample it is now possible to collect images from which macromolecular structures can be determined to better than 2 Å resolution, where reliable atomic models can be built. By electron tomography and sub-tomogram averaging of cryo-samples, it is also possible to reconstruct subcellular structures to sub-nanometre resolution. This review describes the infrastructure that is needed to achieve this goal. Ideally, a cryo-EM lab will have a dedicated 300 kV electron microscope for data recording and a 200 kV instrument for screening cryo-samples, both with direct electron detectors, and at least one 120 kV EM for negative-stain screening at room temperature. Added to this should be ancillary equipment for specimen preparation, including a light microscope, carbon coater, plasma cleaner, glow discharge unit, a device for fast, robotic sample freezing, liquid nitrogen storage Dewars and a ready supply of clean liquid nitrogen. In practice, of course, the available budget will determine the number and types of microscopes and how elaborate the lab can be. The cryo-EM lab should be designed with adequate space for the electron microscopes and ancillary equipment, and should allow for sufficient storage space. Each electron microscope room should be connected to the image-processing computers by fibre-optic cables for the rapid transfer of large datasets. The cryo-EM lab should be overseen by a facility manager whose responsibilities include the day-to-day tasks to ensure that all microscopes are operating perfectly, organising service and repairs to minimise downtime, and controlling the budget. Large facilities will require additional support staff who help to oversee the operation of the facility and instruct new users.

Some aspects of improving the energy efficiency of a mine centrifugal pumps.

Mine drainage systems, which are used at the main drainage of mining enterprises, have a drive capacity of up to 1600kW. To reduce non-productive energy losses, as well as for the continuous operation of the mining company, mine pumps must be energy efficient and reliable. Analysis of downtime of drainage systems shows that the weak point is the unloading device. This fact can lead not only to the failure of the pumping unit, but also to possible prolonged downtime of the mine. The main disadvantage of the existing disk unloading devices of mine pumps is their low reliability and low service life, due to the rapid wear of the components of the unloading unit. The most vulnerable elements of the unloading device are the unloading rings. The need for frequent replacement and adjustment of the elements of the discharge unit is associated with disassembly and assembly of the pump directly in the pump chamber. Such actions require significant costs of unproductive manual labor of service personnel, and rapid wear of parts of the unloading device necessitates their constant replenishment. Malfunctions in the unloading device can cause significant pump failures. To increase the reliability and energy efficiency of mine drainage systems, the method of control of the unloading device was used. During the experimental studies it was found that cavitation phenomena during the operation of pumping units are absent and, accordingly, can not be the cause of wear of the elements of the unloading unit. When the pumps are operating in steady state, the displacement of the rotors was monitored for 3-4 hours on each pump unit. After data processing, it was obtained that the wear of the surface of the unloading rings occurs at a rate of 0.05-0.15mm in one hour. To determine the wear of the rings of unloading during start-up - stop of the pump, at first the indicators of measuring devices at the established mode of operation of the pump unit were fixed. Then the pump was turned off and on again. After starting the pump unit, we made sure that the operating mode of the unloading device did not change and compared the readings of the shaft position indicator before stopping and after starting the pump. From the measurements made it followed that stopping and starting the pump does not lead to noticeable wear of the unloading device. Therefore, it can be assumed that mainly the wear of the discharge rings occurs during the steady operation of the pump unit.