Bharathiar University

About: Bharathiar University is a education organization based out in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Thin film & Adsorption. The organization has 5812 authors who have published 8628 publications receiving 143934 citations. The organization is also known as: BU.

Quaternized biomass as an anion exchanger for the removal of nitrate and other anions from water

Abstract: Dried Chinese Reed (Miscanthus sinensis), a fast growing plant, was used as a model biomass for the development of anion exchangers using a quaternization agent, N-(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl)trimethylammonium chloride (CHMAC), and a cross-linking agent, epichlorohydrin. Anions studied include nitrate, phosphate, perchlorate and sulfate. Batch mode adsorption studies were conducted using aqueous solutions of anions. Detailed kinetics were studied for nitrate removal. Parameters studied included anion concentration, agitation time, adsorbent dose, and pH. Adsorption equilibrium occurred in 10 min for all the anions studied. Equilibrium adsorption data followed both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The presence of phosphate, perchlorate, fluoride and sulfate lowered the adsorption significantly. The effects of pH on adsorption and desorption show that ion exchange is involved in the adsorption process. The adsorption capacity of the cross-linked and quaternized Chinese Reed for nitrate, sulfate, phosphate and perchlorate was found to be 7.55, 13.25, 16.61 and 10.07 mg of anion per g of the anion exchanger, respectively. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry

Occurrence of Aeromonas hydrophila in acute gasteroenteritis among children.

Abstract: BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE The interest on the occurrence multidrug resistance and pathogenicity of Aeromonas hydrophila is increasing worldwide since it causes gasteroenteritis to children. Though reports on the occurrence of gasteroenteritis among children due to A. hydrophila in Tamil Nadu are available from certain areas, no information is available from Coimbatore. Hence, this study was undertaken to find out the occurrence of the pathogenic A. hydrophila in diarrhoeal stool of children, particularly in Coimbatore region. METHODS Isolation and identification of A. hydrophila was carried out from stool samples collected from children with acute diarrhoea. Multiple antibiotic resistance was determined by disc diffusion method. The pathogenicity of A. hydrophila was confirmed by production of haemolysin, protease and slime. RESULTS Of the 216 samples, 21 (9.7%) were positive for A. hydrophila. Among them 20 isolates were resistant to bacitracin. Most of the isolates showed multiple antibiotic resistance. Among the 21 isolates, protease and haemolysin producers were 100 and 95 per cent respectively. About 76 per cent of the isolates produced slime. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION The results of the present study indicated the presence of pathogenic A. hydrophila in the study area causing diarrhoea among children.

Effect of temperature on structural, optical and photoluminescence studies on ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by the standard co-precipitation method

Abstract: This present study brings the synthesis of Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) by the standard aqueous chemical route technique. The impact of calcination temperature on the extent of the ZnO nanoparticles is studied for its lattice constraints. X-ray diffraction (XRD) affirms the hexagonal Wurtzite structure of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles. From the Williamson–Hall (W–H) plot, positive slope is inferred for pure and calcined ZnO NPs and confirms the presence of tensile strain. From the SEM images it is found that the crystallinity enhances with calcination temperature. From the optical studies, it is found that the band gap energy decreases with improved transmission. The Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum reveals the UV emission is strong near the band-edge. The emission peaks around 400–480 nm result in blue emission and the peaks around 540–560 nm result in green emission. Decrease in band gap energy and enhancement in PL studies reveal the red shift of the calcined ZnO exhibiting solid quantum confinements.

Novel approach for the treatment and recycle of wastewater from soya edible oil refinery industry—An economic perspective

Abstract: The soya edible oil manufacturing industries with a capacity of 18,000 tones/annum, generate wastewaters and solid wastes. The streams of wastewater originate primarily after several processes viz. soap splitting, floor washing, cooling tower and boiler. The wastewater from cooling tower, boiler sections and solid wastes can be recycled and reused after essential preliminary treatment. In this study, we observed that wastewater from the site of study and other peripheral streams did not conform to the legislated permissible limits prescribed for discharge, by the Central Pollution Control Board, Government of India. Hence, we adopted certain novel measures to enhance the treatment efficacy of the effluent treatment plant (ETP). The overall percentage removal of COD, TDS, and O&G was 94–98, 92–97 and 97–99%, respectively. Moreover the fixed capital cost of ETP was estimated 50 lakhs—Indian Rupees (Rs.) and annual operation and maintenance cost was estimated Rs. 10.356 lakhs, the cost of treatment of 1 m 3 wastewater was Rs. 82.67 (U$ dollar = 1.79). Further recycle, recovery and reuse of water were adopted to achieve the target of zero discharge for ecological and economical gains.