Biobutanol as a promising liquid fuel for the future - recent updates and perspectives

Pugazhendhi, Arivalagan,Mathimani, Thangavel,Varjani, Sunita,Rene, Eldon R.,Kumar, Gopalakrishnan,Kim, Sang-Hyoun,Ponnusamy, Vinoth Kumar,Yoon, Jeong-Jun Elsevier 2019 Fuel Vol.253 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Butanol is a potential alternative fuel for compensating the depletion of fossil based liquid fuels. Butanol can be easily mixed with either gas or petrol, at any percentage and used as a fuel. <I>Clostridia</I> are the main fermentative organisms used for the production of biobutanol. They are potentially known for their capacity to ferment different types of renewable biomass to butanol through the acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation pathway. This review deals with the mechanism of biobutanol production from biomass feedstocks and the issues and challenges involved in the production of biobutanol. The different types of anaerobic biobutanol production namely fed-batch fermentation, continuous fermentation, and two-stage continuous fermentation have been clearly enunciated. Further, different butanol recovery methods such as adsorption, gas stripping and pervaporation have also been discussed in this review. Certain issues affecting the biobutanol production such as sporulation and solventogenesis have been summarized. These types of problems could be overcome by metabolic engineering of <I>Clostridia</I>, which will enhance the resistance of the microorganisms towards high solvent concentrations and thereby increasing the solvent production. The genetic engineering approach is able to overcome the constraints with wild-type strain by understanding the process of solventogenesis in order to construct or modify the strains with improved downstream processing potential for economically advantageous biobutanol production.</P>

Process performance of biohydrogen production using glucose at various HRTs and assessment of microbial dynamics variation via q-PCR

Pugazhendhi, Arivalagan,Anburajan, Parthiban,Park, Jong-Hun,Kumar, Gopalakrishnan,Sivagurunathan, Periyasamy,Kim, Sang-Hyoun Elsevier 2017 International journal of hydrogen energy Vol.42 No.45

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This paper describes the continuous biohydrogen production in a mesophilic fixed-bed reactor using anaerobic digester sludge as an inoculum. Hydraulic retention times (HRTs) were decreased stepwise from 12 to 1.5 h, while 15 g/L of glucose was used as the model substrate. The peak hydrogen production performance was found at 1.5 h HRT with the hydrogen yield (HY) of 2.3 mol H<SUB>2</SUB>/mol glucose<SUB>added</SUB> and the hydrogen production rate (HPR) of 78 L H<SUB>2</SUB>/L-d. Butyrate and acetate were the major soluble metabolic products released during the fermentation. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and scanning electron microscopy analyses implied that <I>Clostridium butyricum</I> was dominant in the mixed culture fermentation in all the examined HRTs.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Continuous hydrogen fermentation of glucose by fixed bed reactor has been demonstrated. </LI> <LI> Peak HY and HPR were obtained as 2.3 mol H2/mol glucose<SUB>added</SUB> and 78 L H2/L-d. </LI> <LI> <I>Clostridium butyricum</I> was dominant in the mixed culture fermentation. </LI> </UL> </P>

Experimental Investigation on Dielectric and Thermal Characteristics of Nanosized Alumina Filler Added Polyimide Enamel

C. Pugazhendhi Sugumaran 대한전기학회 2014 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.9 No.3

The polymer nano composite possess good priority recently for engineering applications. Especially the electrical insulating materials attract the high performance of nano composites. In this work the ballmill synthesiation process of nano sized Alumina (Al2O3), the preparation of new nano composite material with an content of enamel and synthesized Alumina as 1wt%, 3wt% and 5wt%. Experimental investigation has been carried out for the prepared nano composites materials with respect to dielectric parameter measurements such as dielectric loss (tan δ), dielectric constant (ε), dielectric strength under various temperature. The partial discharge level also measured for all the samples and the PD inception voltage is also observed and compared. Weight loss of the material has been analyzed through TGA. It has been experimentally proved that 3wt% of Alumina nano filler added enamel has significant improvement in the dielectric and thermal properties.

Gymnemic Acid Ameliorates Pancreatic β-Cell Dysfunction by Modulating Pdx1 Expression: A Possible Strategy for β-Cell Regeneration

Kannan Pugazhendhi,Raghunathan Malathi,Mohan Thangarajeswari,Palanivelu Shanthi,Periandavan Kalaiselvi 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2022 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.19 No.3

BACKGROUND: Endogenous pancreatic b-cell regeneration is a promising therapeutic approach for enhancing b-cell function and neogenesis in diabetes. Various findings have reported that regeneration might occur via stimulating b-cell proliferation, neogenesis, or conversion from other pancreatic cells to b-like cells. Although the current scenario illustrates numerous therapeutic strategies and approaches that concern endogenous b-cell regeneration, all of them have not been successful to a greater extent because of cost effectiveness, availability of suitable donors and rejection in case of transplantation, or lack of scientific evidence for many phytochemicals derived from plants that have been employed in traditional medicine. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effect of gymnemic acid (GA) on b-cell regeneration in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic rats and high glucose exposed RIN5-F cells. METHODS: The study involves histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis to examine the islet’s architecture. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and/or immunoblot were employed to quantify the b-cell regeneration markers and cell cycle proliferative markers. RESULTS: The immunoexpression of E-cadherin, b-catenin, and phosphoinositide 3-kinases/protein kinase B were significantly increased in GA-treated diabetic rats. On the other hand, treatment with GA upregulated the pancreatic regenerative transcription factor viz. pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1, Neurogenin 3, MafA, NeuroD1, and b-cells proliferative markers such as CDK4, and Cyclin D1, with a simultaneous downregulation of the forkhead box O, glycogen synthase kinase-3, and p21cip1 in diabetic treated rats. Adding to this, we noticed increased nuclear localization of Pdx1 in GA treated high glucose exposed RIN5-F cells. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that GA acts as a potential therapeutic candidate for endogenous b-cell regeneration in treating type 1 diabetes.

Experimental Investigation on Dielectric and Thermal Characteristics of Nanosized Alumina Filler Added Polyimide Enamel

Sugumaran, C. Pugazhendhi The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers 2014 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.9 No.3

The polymer nano composite possess good priority recently for engineering applications. Especially the electrical insulating materials attract the high performance of nano composites. In this work the ballmill synthesiation process of nano sized Alumina ($Al_2O_3$), the preparation of new nano composite material with an content of enamel and synthesized Alumina as 1wt%, 3wt% and 5wt%. Experimental investigation has been carried out for the prepared nano composites materials with respect to dielectric parameter measurements such as dielectric loss (tan ${\delta}$), dielectric constant (${\varepsilon}$), dielectric strength under various temperature. The partial discharge level also measured for all the samples and the PD inception voltage is also observed and compared. Weight loss of the material has been analyzed through TGA. It has been experimentally proved that 3wt% of Alumina nano filler added enamel has significant improvement in the dielectric and thermal properties.

Biohydrogen fermentation of galactose at various substrate concentrations in an immobilized system and its microbial correspondence

Sivagurunathan, Periyasamy,Pugazhendhi, Arivalagan,Kumar, Gopalakrishnan,Park, Jong-Hun,Kim, Sang-Hyoun Elsevier 2018 Journal of bioscience and bioengineering Vol.125 No.5

<P>The effects of substrate concentration on fermentative hydrogen production from galactose at a fixed hydraulic retention time of 12 h were investigated in an immobilized continuously stirred tank reactor. Peak hydrogen production rate and hydrogen yield of 9.57 L/L-d and 1.10 mol/mol galactose<SUB>added</SUB>, respectively, were obtained at a feed substrate concentration of 30 g/L and an organic loading rate of 60 L/L-d. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the variations in the performance resulted primarily from metabolic alterations within the metabolism of the established microbial community rather than modifications in the population. The results obtained showed that optimal substrate concentration is essential for the efficient, continuous production of hydrogen from galactose.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Substrate concentration influenced the biohydrogen performance. </LI> <LI> Feed galactose of 30 g/L provided the peak H<SUB>2</SUB> production of 9.5 L/L-d. </LI> <LI> Substrate overloading caused metabolic shift of <I>Clostridium</I> to lactate production. </LI> </UL> </P>

Effect of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) on high-rate continuous biohydrogen production from galactose

Anburajan, Parthiban,Pugazhendhi, Arivalagan,Park, Jong-Hun,Sivagurunathan, Periyasamy,Kumar, Gopalakrishnan,Kim, Sang-Hyoun Elsevier Applied Science 2018 Bioresource Technology Vol.247 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This study investigated the effect of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) on high-rate continuous fermentative H<SUB>2</SUB> production in a lab-scale fixed bed reactor (FBR) inoculated with mixed culture granules and fed with 15g/L galactose at a hydraulic retention time of 6h and at 37°C. During the 83days of operation, 5-HMF up to 2.4g/L was spiked into the feedstock. The maximum hydrogen production performance of 26.6L/L-d and 2.9mol H<SUB>2</SUB>/mol galactose<SUB>added</SUB> were achieved at 5-HMF concentration of 0.6g/L. 5-HMF concentration exceeding 0.9g/L not only inhibited hydrogen production but also affected the biofilm structure and microbial community population. However, when 5-HMF was eliminated from the feedstock, the performance and microbial community population were rapidly recovered.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> 5-HMF at or over 0.9g/L inhibited continuous H<SUB>2</SUB> production from galactose. </LI> <LI> 5-HMF shifted dominant groups from <I>Clostridium butyricum</I> to <I>Lactobacillus</I>. </LI> <LI> Inhibition to continuous culture was milder than that to batch culture. </LI> <LI> Inhibition was rapidly overcome when 5-HMF was eliminated from feedstock. </LI> </UL> </P>

High-rate H₂ production from Organic Sources: Past, Present and Future

Parthiban Anburajan,Arivalagan Pugazhendhi,Obuli P. Karthikeyan,Ashok Pandey,Sang-Hyoun Kim 대한환경공학회 2019 대한환경공학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.2019 No.-

Enhancement of Electro-Thermal Characteristics of Micro/Nano ZnO Based Surge Arrester

R. Rohini,C. Pugazhendhi Sugumaran 대한전기학회 2021 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.16 No.1

Semiconductor ceramics based metal oxide varistors (MOVs) are currently used to protect electrical equipment against internal and external overvoltages without interrupting power supply. The improved protective characteristics of surge arresters helps to reduce the cost with an excellent insulation design for electrical systems. The proper exploration of material with better non-linearity, higher breakdown voltage and lower leakage current is considered as essential parameters for proper design of modern high power, high voltage and gas-insulated substation (GIS). In this paper, varistor samples of Sample 1 (95% Micro ZnO + 2% of Micro Bi 2 O 3 + 2% of Micro Y 2 O 3 + 1% of Micro Sb 2 O 3 ), Sample 2 (95% Nano ZnO + 2% of Micro Bi 2 O 3 + 2% of Micro Y 2 O 3 + 1% of Micro Sb 2 O 3 ), Sample 3 (95% Micro ZnO + 2% of Micro SrO + 2% of Micro Y 2 O 3 + 1% of Micro Sb 2 O 3 ) and Sample 4 (95% Nano ZnO + 2% of Micro SrO + 2% of Micro Y 2 O 3 + 1% of Micro Sb 2 O 3 ) are prepared through sequential process, which includes ball milling, calcination (700 °C), compression (340 kg/cm 2 ), molding and sintering (1150 °C). The prepared samples are then characterized using SEM, and experimentation is carried out to analyze the various parameters such as non-linearity, permittivity, dielectric loss and thermal conductivity. The SrO included as a principal additive component instead of Bismuth oxide in Sample 3 and 4 makes it with improved surge arrester characteristics. The results revealed that the Sample 4 attained enhancement of 40% in the non-linear characteristics is due to the increase in the active area of grain boundaries in comparison with Sample 1. In addition, the impedance spectroscopy results emphasize that the value of permittivity, resistivity and dissipation factor is better for Sample 4. Thermal analysis concluded that the thermal conductivity enhanced to 0.67 (W/cm K) for Sample 4 by exclusive formation of ZnSrO 2 phase.

Application of Nano Coating to ACSR conductor for the Protection of Transmission lines against Solar Storms, Surface Flashovers, Corona and Over voltages

Selvaraj, D. Edison,Mohanadasse, K.,Sugumaran, C. Pugazhendhi,Vijayaraj, R. The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers 2015 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.10 No.5

Nano composite materials were multi-constituent combinations of nano dimensional phases with distinct differences in structure, chemistry and properties. Nano particles were less likely to create large stress concentrations and thereby can avoid the compromise of the material ductility while improve other mechanical properties. Corona discharge was an electrical discharge. The ionization of a fluid surrounding a conductor was electrically energized. This discharge would occur when the strength of the electric field around the conductor was high enough to form a conductive region, but not high enough to cause electrical breakdown or arcing to nearby objects. This paper shows all the studies done on the preparation of nano fillers. Special attention has given to the ACSR transmission line conductor, TiO₂ nano fillers and also to the evaluation of corona resistance on dielectric materials discussed in detail. The measurement of the dielectric properties of the nano fillers and the parameters influencing them were also discussed in the paper. Corona discharge test reveals that in 0%N ACSR sample corona loss was directly proportional to the applied line voltage. No significant change in corona loss between 0%N and 1%N. When TiO₂ nano filler concentration was increased up to 10%N fine decrement in corona loss was found when compared to base ACSR conductor, corona loss was decreased by 40.67% in 10%N ACSR sample. It was also found from the surface conditions test that inorganic TiO₂ nano filler increases the key parameters like tensile strength and erosion depth.