Department of Environmental and Water Resources Engineering

Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is a private university located in&nbsp;Tamil Nadu, India. Founded in 1984, as Vellore Engineering College, the institution offers 20 undergraduate, 34 postgraduate, four integrated and four research programs. It has campuses in Vellore, Amravati, Bhopal and Chennai.

VIT is one of the top ranked private universities in India according to NIRF, THE and QS Rankings.&nbsp;Govt. of India has recognized&nbsp;VIT, Vellore as an&nbsp;Institution of Eminence. This has allowed VIT to take independent quality initiatives and move up in world ranking.

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VIT University

School of Civil Engineering

Subsurface characterization and information about buried utility infrastructure is an important issue affecting the public safety and progress of development projects. A heterogeneous subsurface environment is often insufficiently characterized by the data collected through various direct and indirect means, particularly in dense urban areas. The present study aims to detect the subsurface objects and map the stratigraphic environment in a city region using a non-invasive geophysical technique called Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). In this study, antennas of central frequency 200 and 80 MHz have been used to identify the underground utilities and subsurface layer information, respectively. A methodology based on a geometrical approach using Support Vector Machines (SVM) is developed for computing the depth and radius of buried pipes. Also, the electrical discontinuities in the GPR profiles are identified through various processing techniques to extract the subsurface layer information. The results indicate that the 200-MHz antenna and SVM-based methodology estimate the buried pipe parameters with reasonable accuracy at various site combinations. It is found that the bistatic low-frequency 80-MHz antenna suitably characterizes the subsurface layers, which are in close agreement with the borehole data. The processed data illustrate a strong correlation between the radar signals and the characteristics of the strata resolving the uncertainty. The study highlights the capability of GPR in extracting the subsurface data and recommends a multi-frequency approach to map and interpret the complete subsurface environment at a specific site. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Department of Structural and Geotechical Engineering

Vellore Campus

World University root node

Innovative Infrastructure Solutions

Subsurface object detection and characterization using Ground Penetrating Radar

Data security is a key concern in cloud computing. With the increase in attempts to hack a virtual cloud server in order to access the data stored there privately, more and more measures are being taken to ensure a reliable and secure cloud. Enhancements are made on traditional cryptography algorithms so that they are more suited to the distributed, virtual and multi-tenant environment of the cloud. Block-chaining is the newest technique in the fields of computing. It is basically a growing list of records, called as “blocks”, which are linked and secured using cryptography. In this project, we are aiming to implement an encryption algorithm which works on the principles of block-chains, to ensure the security and integrity of a cloud-based system. The infallible nature of block-chains is what makes it perfect for cloud server security. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd 2020.

Department of Software Systems

School of Computer Science and Engineering

Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing Data Engineering and Communication Technology

Server Security in Cloud Computing Using Block-Chaining Technique

This paper is about characterizing a brick sample obtained from the brick well at Pattaraiperumbudur, a recently excavated site in Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu. The petro-archaeometry studies of this site included the findings about its elemental constitution, mineralogical composition, thermal changes and physical properties. The elemental constitution was determined using an XRF test, while the mineral composition was found with the help of XRD and FT-IR, showing the chemical bonding at various peaks. A material can undergo different thermal reactions at various temperatures and the effect of temperature on the sample was screened through a TG-DTA analysis. Optical microscopy (OM) is one of the important tests used in petro-archaeological studies, confirming the XRD results. The morphology of the sample was studied with the aid of FE-SEM, which provided an idea about the porous structure and elemental composition. Physical tests of water absorption, porosity and bulk density provided information on the durability of the brick sample. The combined results of TGA and XRD suggest that the firing of the bricks had taken place below 950 °Cinan oxidising atmosphere. The chemical composition reveals that the clay contains a low amount of CaO and the flux concentration is greater than 9 %, indicating low refractory. The extracted brick samples were subjected to carbon dating using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) that found them to be 2100 years old. 3D rendering of the well was created with the help of the H-BIM tool.

Fulltext

Materiali in Tehnologije

CHARACTERISATION and OSL DATING of an ANCIENT BRICK WELL at PATTARAIPERUMBUDUR, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

An increase in population, rapid urbanization and industrialization has accelerated the rate of municipal solid waste generation. The current disposal of solid waste is a burgeoning issue and it's in immediate need to shift the existing disposal processes to a sustainable manner. Circular economy (CE) is a conceptual model which is been used for better use of resources and minimization of waste in a closed loop approach which could be appropriate for waste management. In this context, the present review illustrates the effective use of biodegradable and non-biodegradable fraction of solid waste in a closed loop integrated refinery platforms for the recovery of bioenergy resources and for the production of value added products. The biodegradable fraction of solid waste could be treated by advanced biological processes with the simultaneous production of bioenergy such as biohydrogen, biomethane, bioelectricity, etc., and other value added products like butanol, ethanol, methanol etc. The scheme illustrates the closed loop approach, the bioenergy generated from the biodegradable fraction of solid waste could be used for the operation of internal combustion engines and the energy could be further used for processing the waste. The non-biodegradable fraction of solid waste could be used for construction and pavement processes. Overall the study emphasizes the paradigm shift of solid waste management concepts from linear economy to a circular economy following the “Zero Waste” concept. The study also explains the circular economy policies practiced for solid waste management that stimulates the economy of the country and identify the pathways to maximize the local resources. In addition the review addresses the advanced information and communication technologies to unfold the issues and challenges faced in the solid waste management. The smart governance of managing waste using the “Internet of Things” (IoT) is one of the great precursors of technological development that could lead innovations in waste management. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.

CO2 Research and Green Technologies Centre

Department of Automotive Engineering

School of Mechanical Engineering

Science of the Total Environment

Biodegradable and non-biodegradable fraction of municipal solid waste for multifaceted applications through a closed loop integrated refinery platform: Paving a path towards circular economy

Air pollution due to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration in Indian cities is becoming a major threat to human health. The most common short-term effects of PM2.5 are chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). This COPD health effect is associated with high monetary burden on people residing in urban population. Thus, it is crucial to evaluate short-term COPD hospital admissions and monetary burden caused by PM2.5. In the present study, the Hyderabad city in India is chosen as a model city for evaluation. The AirQ+ software developed by World Health Organization is utilized for quantifying COPD hospital admission. Using AirQ+ software, the estimated attributable proportion (EAP), excess number of attributable cases (EAC), and estimated number of attributable cases per 1 lakh people (EACP) related to COPD hospital admissions are quantified. Further, the cost of illness (COI) method and value of statistical life (VSL) methods are adopted for estimating the monetary burden. The required annual mean PM2.5 data is downloaded from Central Pollution Control Board website. Results showed that Hyderabad has an EAP of 7.12% in 2016 and 7.88% in 2017. Total EAC in our study period is found to be 2,97,848 cases, and the monetary burden in 2016 and 2017 are estimated to be 4998 and 5522 million INR, respectively. Also, the VSLHyderabad is estimated to be 34,17,224 INR. © 2020, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering

Estimation of PM2.5-Related Hospital Admissions and Its Monetary Burden in Hyderabad, India

VIT Unitversity

Lecture Notes on Multidisciplinary Industrial Engineering Emerging Technologies for Agriculture and Environment

Study of Lightweight Mortar by Replacing Cement and Aggregates with Admixtures

Globally, road dust is a major source of inhalable particulate matter in any urban environment. This research seeks to assess the elemental composition of road dust at Vellore city, India, and to evaluate its health risks. For this, dust samples are collected from 18 locations in the study region. The collected samples are digested and analysed for about 25 elements using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy, of which 19 elements have concentration greater than the detection limit of the instrument (Al, Ba, Ca, Mg, Sr, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Zn, In, K, Li, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb and Rb). The highest mean concentration is noted for Fe (22,638.23 mg/kg) followed by Ca (13,439.47 mg/kg), Al (8445.89 mg/kg) and Mg (3381.20 mg/kg). Enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF) are calculated for 10 trace elements: Cu, Co, Cr, Ga, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr and Zn. Elements Ga and Zn show the highest EF and CF. Source identification recognized that crustal material and traffic as the major sources of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Further, the health risk assessment is performed for nine PTEs and identifies that Fe, Pb, Cr and Co are elements with the highest health index. Health index of these elements suggests a possible health risk. Ingestion is the major pathway, and children are found to be at a higher risk compared to adults. © 2020, Springer Nature B.V.

Environmental Geochemistry and Health

Investigation of road dust characteristics and its associated health risks from an urban environment

This study reports the effectiveness of silver nanoparticles coated onto polyurethane foam (CPU), fused into polyurethane foam (FPU), and glass beads in a fixed bed column for removal of pesticide “Chlorpyrifos.” Silver nanoparticles coated on substrates were synthesized in laboratory using hibiscus leaf extract (SNP) and was compared with commercial silver nanoparticles (CNP). Characterization of silver nanoparticles and its interaction with the substrate were probed using XRD, TEM, and FTIR, respectively. Experiments were conducted by varying flow rate (20–40 mL/h) with a fixed bed height and pesticide concentration. The maximum removal of pesticide was obtained as 92% and 94% for CPU; 90% and 96% for FPU; 81% and 72% for glass beads with SNP and CNP, respectively, at 20 mL/h flow rate. A decrease in removal efficiency and breakpoint time was observed with an increase in flow rate of pesticide-laden water. The outcome of the study reveals that the polyurethane foam as substrate for silver nanoparticles is more effective for the removal of pesticide from the aqueous solution, which can be further developed into continuous portable modules at commercial scale. © 2019 Taylor &amp; Francis Group, LLC.

Department of Chemical Engineering

School of Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering Communications

Fixed bed column study for pesticide removal using silver nanoparticles-embedded polyurethane foam and glass beads

Microalgae has huge potential towards biological nutrient removal, but the challenges are remains in maximizing the biomass yield and so nutrient/pollutant removal efficiency. In this study, a response surface methodology-central composite design was applied to investigate the significant process variables (temperature, light intensity, inoculum density and light period) and its interaction effect on biomass yield of effluent acclimatized microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata, Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorella sorokiniana in ozone pre-treated tannery effluent (OPTE). At optimum culture condition N. oculata, C. vulgaris, and C. sorokiniana have yielded 0.67 g/L, 0.85 g/L, and 1.06 g/L biomass. Besides, correlation and regression analysis revealed the strong correlation between microalgal growth and nutrient removal rate. Among the species, C. sorokiniana has shown better remediation potential, at 27.5 °C, 150 μmol m−2 s−1 light intensity, 30% (v/v) inoculum, 16 h light period with the specific growth rate of 0.559 day−1 and nutrient/pollutant removal efficiency of 90% C, 90% N, 100% P, 82% COD, and 100% chromium. But, N. oculata has revealed the better lipid accumulation potential (40%) in OPTE. Thus, the present study established the appropriate strains and conditions required for OPTE treatment along with the value-added biomass production in large scale. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Journal of Environmental Management

Effect of culture conditions on biomass yield of acclimatized microalgae in ozone pre-treated tannery effluent: A simultaneous exploration of bioremediation and lipid accumulation potential

Elevated temperature studies on concrete have gained importance since the exposure of concrete members to higher temperatures affects the overall structural stability. This paper explains the behaviour and performance of concrete containing a supplementary cementitious material derived from coir industry, Coir Pith Ash (CPA), when subjected to elevated temperature environments. Concrete specimens with CPA content varying from 0% to 20% were taken into consideration and the specimens were exposed to elevated temperature levels. The heating of specimens was conducted in an electric furnace. The parameters considered for the study includeresidual compressive strength, visual observation, and ultrasonic pulse velocity.Effect of air-cooling and water-cooling regimes were also studied.The test results proved the superior performance of CPA concrete over normal control mix concrete. Among the cooling regimes, the air-cooling method was found to be better than water cooling method. © 2020, World Academy of Research in Science and Engineering. All rights reserved.