RESEARCH

when science creates art

beautiful movement: motion of insect

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RESEARCH ONGOING

>>> Magnetic and MR FLUID <<<

Duration : 2008 – present || Status : On Going || Funding : JICA and Keio University

Description

Magnetic fluids and Magnetorheological (MR) fluids are typical functional fluids, which change their rheological properties when an external magnetic field is applied. Magnetic fluid is a stable colloidal suspension of small surfactant-coated magnetic particles in a liquid carrier, such as water or hydrocarbon oil. Magnetic particle diameter is about 10 nm. In contrast, MR fluid consist of micrometer sized magnetic particles around 10 μm. Compare with magnetic fluid, MR fluid has controllable yield stress and large viscosity under a magnetic field. The inner structure of these fluids are change due to an external magnetic fluid, some of the inner particles coagulate and form clustering structure. Diverse application such as dampers and clutches have been developed using these fluids. However, it is important to investigate these detailed inner structures for application and the behavior when external condition is applied.

Objectives

• Investigation of ultrasonic propagation velocity and attenuation precisely on functional fluids.
• Investigation of the influence of external condition (magnetic field, temperature, etc) on functional fluids.
• Analysis of inner particle structure of functional fluids

Techniques

A technique base on ultrasonic wave propagation on suspension medium is useful to measure the velocity component of magnetic and MR fluids. Since the clustering structure under magnetic field have influence on the ultrasonic propagation, it is important to analyze the properties of ultrasonic propagation in functional fluids. In this study, the properties of ultrasonic propagation velocity and attenuation in magnetic and MR fluids are measured accurately. Then, based on these results, non-contact inspection of the inner structure is performing by ultrasonic technique. Also, simulation techniques will be used.

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Development of a Software for Designing and Manufacturing of an Impeller

Duration : 2006 – 2007 || Status : Completed || Funding : JICA Project for AUN/SEED-Net

Centrifugal pumps are widely used for transporting fluids though pipe systems, not only in industrial environments but also in home and office appliances, such as heating and cooling systems, water supply, etc. It is therefore important to minimize the energy consumption and widen the operational range. For these reasons, the design impellers should be studied in detail in order to improve efficiency. The flow through a centrifugal impeller is very complex for computation and measurement because of the rotation, viscous effects and complex geometry.This study presents the development of a two dimensional software for impeller design which is simple, have low computation overhead, and efficient. The software is developed in JAVA. Programming in JAVA is takes advantages of its flexibilities. The result of this study shows that the software can lead to a first trial design of an impeller pump, which can then be refined at will. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) using JAVA is created to be user friendly. This program calculates the theoretical performance of a pump as well as 2D visualization of the impeller pump. The software is suitable for small industries and educational purposes.

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The Effect of Geometry and Amount Obstacles Toward Onset Flooding Counter-current Two Phase Flow Air-Water on Vertical Channel Which Porous Inlet and Sharp Outlet

Duration : 2004 – 2005 || Status : Completed || Funding : Personal

Some equipment which is use in petroleum industries, chemical industries, steam power-plants and nuclear reactors must avoid the flooding phenomena in order to working at optimal condition. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of geometry and number of obstacle toward onset flooding at counter current vertical air-water flows with porous inlet and sharp outlet. The models of obstacle was appropriated to industrial application i.e. pipe joining or pipe scaling. Experiments were conducted in plexiglass pipe of 24 mm internal diameter and 2500 mm length of test section at annular flow pattern. The variation of geometries are the obstacle ring which rectangular and half of circle longitudinal sections. And the number of obstacle was varied from one obstacle, two obstacles and three obstacles.The data show that the geometry and number of obstacles are significant toward onset flooding. Flooding phenomena was indicated with drastic increase of pressure gradient above liquid inlet. The rectangular obstacle ring will contribute acceleration of onset flooding and also the additional of obstacle. The liquid that lift-up after flooding also will be investigated.

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Power Distribution on Oil and Gas Factory

Duration : 2003 || Status : Completed || Funding : Unocal Indonesia Company

New design of power distribution on oil and gas for Cepu Terminal was proposed. Cepu Terminal is onshore oil and gas processes which have a huge demand of electricity. For this purpose, the main power plant should be supply electricity through very efficient line configuration. And the voltage was decreased gradually until reach certain equipment correctly. This new power distribution design combines semi and fully loop branch. The result shows that each facilities on Cepu Terminal was have good response to this new configuration.

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Redesign Conceptual Aircraft: Airbus A 330

Duration : 2003 || Status : Completed || Funding : Personal

Complete design for an aircraft was divided in three steps, which are: conceptual design, preliminary design and detail design. This thesis was focused on conceptual design. Conceptual design becomes importance because giving a basic idea and a basic performance analysis before proceed to next step of design. Main considerations for conceptual design are to solve problems of configuration, dimension, weight, and performance. All of these problems can be calculated by very well established formula (Nicolai 1975; pp.1 – 12). Conceptual design in this thesis starts from defining all parameters using appropriate table and graphs. These parameters used for calculating weight, main dimension and centre of gravity of aircraft. The main reference is data from Airbus A 330. Aerodynamics and propulsion system analysis will define lift and drag coefficients, and thrust. Aircraft load can be calculated after these steps completed. Stability especially static and longitudinal stabilities then are observed. Also spin recovery, material and cost was analyzed in this thesis.

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Machine supports for Oil and Gas Processing at Lawe-lawe Terminal, Unocal Indonesia Company

Duration : 2002 || Status : Completed || Funding : Unocal Indonesia Company

Unocal Indonesia Company was one of the leading companies in oil and gas production in the world. They has sophisticated machine and equipment to supports their operation. This project will examine the process flow in oil and gas process especially in Lawe-lawe Terminal Onshore production including their machines support and give performance for each machine. This project can lead to develop methodology for preventive maintenance each machines. This project takes three kind methodologies: literature research, field observation and interview/discuss with the machine operator. The result shows that machines supports in Lawe-lawe terminal still having good condition. Generator, compressor, pumps, HVAC and processes machines were having above 80% efficiency in general. Attention should be taken for waste control. Although they are still in the tolerable limit, using more efficient waste control equipments would be nice.