Narrow Results

To obtain a better understanding of detonation properties of ammonium nitrate (AN) and activated carbon (AC) mixtures, steel tube tests with several diameters were carried out for various compositions of powdered AN and AC mixtures and the influence of the charge diameter on the detonation velocity was investigated. The results showed that the detonation velocity increased with the increase of the charge diameter. The experimentally observed values were far below the theoretically predicted values made by the thermodynamic CHEETAH code and they showed so-called non-ideal detonation. The extrapolated detonation velocity of stoichiometric composition to the infinite diameter showed a good agreement with the theoretical value.

Nano ceramic Diopside (CaMgSi₂O₆) powders are synthesized by Solution Combustion Process(SCS) using Calcium nitrate, Magnesium nitrate as oxidizer and glycine as fuel, fumed silica as silica source. Ammonium nitrate (AN) is used as extra oxidizer. Effect of AN on Diopside phase formation is investigated. The adiabatic flame temperatures are calculated theoretically for varying amount of AN according to thermodynamic concept and correlated with the observed flame temperatures. A “Multi channel thermocouple setup connected to computer interfaced Keithley multi voltmeter 2700” is used to monitor the thermal events during the process. An interpretation based on maximum combustion temperature and the amount of gases produced during reaction for various AN compositions has been proposed for the nature of combustion and its correlation with the characteristics of as synthesized powder. These powders are characterized by XRD, SEM showing that the powders are composed of polycrystalline oxides with crystallite size of 58nm to 74nm.

Potato brown rot; known as bacterial wilt disease, is a serious disease causing problems in the warm regions of the tropics and subtropics. It has been reported also in cool climates of North Western Europe. Primary infection by Ralstonia solanacearum bacteria occurs through roots or the stolons as soil born disease. This study carried out to study the effect of organic matters and mineral fertilizers as soil amendments on bacterium population of Ralstonia solanacearum and disease severity (virulent and avirulent forms), under artificial inoculation condition. Result indicated that bacterium population and disease severity were significantly reduced when treated with the soil amendments "Garlic" and "Potassium Sulfate" after 90 days in comparison to the control treatment. Additionally, it was clear from the experiment that organic matters were more successful in the virulent forms reduction.