Prajith, K K; Dr.Madhusoodana,Kurup B(Cochin University of Science and Technology, December , 2011)
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Abstract:
This thesis Entitled Application of Biofloc technology (BFT) In the Nursery Rearing and Farming of
Giant Freshwater Prawn,Macrobrachium Rosenbergii(De Man). Aquaculture, rearing plants and animals under controlled conditions is growing with an annual growth rate of 8.3% in the period 1970-2008 (FAO, 2010). This trend of growth is essential for the supply of protein-rich food for ever increasing world population. But growth and development of aquaculture should be in sustainable manner, preferably without jeopardizing the aquatic environment.In the present study, the application of BFT in the nursery rearing and farming ofgiant freshwater prawn, M. rosenbergii, is attempted. The result of the study is organised into eight chapters. In the first chapter, the subject is adequately introduced. Various types of aquaculture practices followed, development and status of Indian aquaculture, present status of freshwater pravm culture, BF T and its use for the sustainable aquaculture systems, theory of BFT based aquaculture practices, hypothesis, objective and outline of the thesis are described. An extensive review of literature on studies carried out so far on biofloc based aquaculture are given in chapter 2. The third chapter deals with the application of BFT in the primary nursery phase of freshwater prawn. Several workers suggested the need for an intermediate nursery phase in the culture system of freshwater prawn for the successful production. Thirty day experiment was conducted to study the effect of BFT on the water quality, and animal welfare under the various stocking densities.
The study concluded that stocking finfishes in biofloc-based monoculture system of freshwater prawns has the potential of increasing total yield. Prawns having a higher commercial value than finfishes besides ensuring economic sustainability. Results showed that prawn yield and survival was better in catla dominated tanks. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended to incorporate 25% rohu and 75% catla in the biofloc-based culture system of giant freshwater prawns. The results of the
present study also recommend to stock relatively larger catla for biofloc-based culture system. Fish production was also higher in the 100% catla tank. When catla was added in higher percentages it should ensured that the hiding objects in the culture ponds shall be used in order to reduce the chance of cannibalism among prawns. rohu and catla equally have the ability to harvest the biofloc, catla consumes the planktonic contributes in the floc whereas rohu grazed on the bacterial consortium suspended in the water column. In Chapter 8, recommendations and future research perspectives in
the field of biofloc based aquaculture is presented.
Description:
School of Industrial Fisheries, Cochin University of Science and Technology
Newby, Joseph; Dr.Saramma, A V(Cochin University of Science and Technology, December 28, 2002)
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Abstract:
Aquatic ecosystem in the south west coast of India is noted for its diversity of
habitats. Very often these environments turn bluegreen when the bloom of
bluegreen algae (cyanobacteria) appear consequent to eutrophication. This
phenomenon occursin these habitats one after the other or simultaneously. This
conspicuousness make one curious enough to know more about these nature’s gift
bestowed upon mankind. While persuing the literature on the magnificent flora) it
is understood that it may provide food fertilizer, chemicals and bioactive
substances. These bioactive substances are likely to be involved in regulating
natural populations and are potentially useful as biochemical tools and as
herbicidal or biocontrol agents. The role of cyanobacteria in the aquatic food
chain and contribution in abatement of heavy metals from the natural
environment are well documented. Considering the manifold utilization of the flora and their significance in the food chain, the present investigation has been undertaken
Description:
Department of Marine
Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology
Baiju, K V; Dr. K G K Warrier(National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology,CSIR, November , 2007)
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Abstract:
The present thesis develops from the point of view of titania sol-gel chemistry and an attempt is made to address the modification of the process for better photoactive titania
by selective doping and also demonstration of utilization of the process for the
preparation of supported membranes and self cleaning films.A general introduction to nanomaterials, nanocrystalline titania and sol-gel
chemistry are presented in the first chapter. A brief and updated literature review on
sol-gel titania, with special emphasis on catalytic and photocatalytic properties and
anatase to rutile transformation are covered. Based on critical assessment of the reported
information the present research problem has been defined.The second chapter describes a new aqueous sol-gel method for the preparation
of nanocrystalline titania using titanyl sulphate as precursor. This approach is novel
since no earlier work has been reported in the same lines proposed here. The sol-gel
process has been followed at each step using particle size, zeta potential measurements
on the sol and thermal analysis of the resultant gel. The prepared powders were then
characterized using X-ray diffraction, FTIR, BET surface area analysis and transmission
electron microscopy.The third chapter presents a detailed discussion on the physico-chemical
characterization of the aqueous sol-gel derived doped titania. The effect of dopants such
as tantalum, gadolinium and ytterbium on the anatase to rutile phase transformation,
surface area as well as their influence on photoactivity is also included.
The fourth chapter demonstrates application of the aqueous sol-gel method in
developing titania coatings on porous alumina substrates for controlling the poresize for
use as membrane elements in ultrafiltration. Thin coatings having ~50 nm thickness and
transparency of ~90% developed on glass surface were tested successfully for self
cleaning applications.
Shaji, P N; Dr.George, Varghese K(Cochin University of Science And Technology, November 5, 2012)
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Abstract:
A study focusing on the identification of return generating factors and to
the extent of their influence on share prices the outcome will be a tool for
investment analysis in the hands of investors portfolio managers and mutual
funds who are mostly concerned with changing share prices. Since the study
takes into account the influence of macroeconomic variables on variations in
share returns by using the outcome the government can frame out suitable
policies on long term basis and that will help in nurturing a healthy economy
and resultant stock market. As every company management tries to maximize
the wealth of the share holders a clear idea about the return generating
variables and their influence will help the management to frame various
policies to maximize the wealth of the shareholders.
Description:
School of Management Studies
Cochin University of Science and Technology
Jessy,John C; Dr.Pillai, R N(Cochin University of Science And Technology, 1985)
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Abstract:
This study is concerned with Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA) models of time series. ARMA models form a subclass of the class of general linear models which represents stationary time series, a phenomenon encountered most often in practice by engineers, scientists and economists. It is always desirable to employ models which use parameters parsimoniously. Parsimony will be achieved by ARMA models because it has only finite number of parameters. Even though the discussion is primarily concerned with stationary time series, later we will take
up the case of homogeneous non stationary time series which can be transformed to stationary time series. Time series models, obtained with the help of the present and past data is used for forecasting future values. Physical science as well as social science take benefits of forecasting models. The role of forecasting cuts across all fields of management-—finance, marketing, production, business economics, as also in signal process, communication engineering, chemical processes, electronics etc. This high applicability of time series is the motivation to this study.
Description:
Department of mathematics, Cochin University of Science And Technology
Ravindranathan, S; Dr.Unnikrishnan, A(Cochin University of Science & Technology, October , 1991)
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Abstract:
Neural Network has emerged as the topic of the day.
The spectrum of its application is as wide as from ECG noise
filtering to seismic data analysis and from elementary
particle detection to electronic music composition. The
focal point of the proposed work is an application of a
massively parallel connectionist model network for detection
of a sonar target. This task is segmented into: (i) generation of training patterns from sea noise that
contains radiated noise of a target, for teaching the
network;(ii) selection of suitable network topology and learning
algorithm and (iii) training of the network and its subsequent testing
where the network detects, in unknown patterns applied
to it, the presence of the features it has already
learned in. A three-layer perceptron using backpropagation
learning is initially subjected to a recursive training
with example patterns (derived from sea ambient noise with
and without the radiated noise of a target). On every
presentation, the error in the output of the network is
propagated back and the weights and the bias associated with
each neuron in the network are modified in proportion to
this error measure. During this iterative process, the network converges and extracts the target features which get
encoded into its generalized weights and biases.In every unknown pattern that the converged
network subsequently confronts with, it searches for the
features already learned and outputs an indication for their
presence or absence. This capability for target detection is
exhibited by the response of the network to various test
patterns presented to it.Three network topologies are tried with two
variants of backpropagation learning and a grading of the
performance of each combination is subsequently made.
Description:
Department of Electronics, Cochin University of Science and Technology
Ramesh, A; Dr.Madhu, G(Cochin University of Science And Technology, October 18, 2012)
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Abstract:
Cement industry ranks 2nd in energy consumption among the industries
in India. It is one of the major emitter of CO2, due to combustion of fossil fuel
and calcination process. As the huge amount of CO2 emissions cause severe
environment problems, the efficient and effective utilization of energy is a
major concern in Indian cement industry. The main objective of the research
work is to assess the energy cosumption and energy conservation of the Indian
cement industry and to predict future trends in cement production and
reduction of CO2 emissions. In order to achieve this objective, a detailed
energy and exergy analysis of a typical cement plant in Kerala was carried out.
The data on fuel usage, electricity consumption, amount of clinker and cement
production were also collected from a few selected cement industries in India
for the period 2001 - 2010 and the CO2 emissions were estimated. A complete
decomposition method was used for the analysis of change in CO2 emissions
during the period 2001 - 2010 by categorising the cement industries according
to the specific thermal energy consumption. A basic forecasting model for the
cement production trend was developed by using the system dynamic approach
and the model was validated with the data collected from the selected cement
industries. The cement production and CO2 emissions from the industries were
also predicted with the base year as 2010. The sensitivity analysis of the
forecasting model was conducted and found satisfactory. The model was then
modified for the total cement production in India to predict the cement
production and CO2 emissions for the next 21 years under three different
scenarios. The parmeters that influence CO2 emissions like population and
GDP growth rate, demand of cement and its production, clinker consumption
and energy utilization are incorporated in these scenarios. The existing growth
rate of the population and cement production in the year 2010 were used in the
baseline scenario. In the scenario-1 (S1) the growth rate of population was
assumed to be gradually decreasing and finally reach zero by the year 2030,
while in scenario-2 (S2) a faster decline in the growth rate was assumed such
that zero growth rate is achieved in the year 2020. The mitigation strategiesfor the reduction of CO2 emissions from the cement production were identified
and analyzed in the energy management scenarioThe energy and exergy analysis of the raw mill of the cement plant revealed
that the exergy utilization was worse than energy utilization. The energy analysis
of the kiln system showed that around 38% of heat energy is wasted through
exhaust gases of the preheater and cooler of the kiln sysetm. This could be
recovered by the waste heat recovery system. A secondary insulation shell was
also recommended for the kiln in the plant in order to prevent heat loss and
enhance the efficiency of the plant. The decomposition analysis of the change in
CO2 emissions during 2001- 2010 showed that the activity effect was the main
factor for CO2 emissions for the cement industries since it is directly dependent on
economic growth of the country. The forecasting model showed that 15.22% and
29.44% of CO2 emissions reduction can be achieved by the year 2030 in scenario-
(S1) and scenario-2 (S2) respectively. In analysing the energy management
scenario, it was assumed that 25% of electrical energy supply to the cement plants
is replaced by renewable energy. The analysis revealed that the recovery of waste
heat and the use of renewable energy could lead to decline in CO2 emissions 7.1%
for baseline scenario, 10.9 % in scenario-1 (S1) and 11.16% in scenario-2 (S2) in
2030. The combined scenario considering population stabilization by the year
2020, 25% of contribution from renewable energy sources of the cement industry
and 38% thermal energy from the waste heat streams shows that CO2 emissions
from Indian cement industry could be reduced by nearly 37% in the year 2030.
This would reduce a substantial level of greenhouse gas load to the environment.
The cement industry will remain one of the critical sectors for India to meet
its CO2 emissions reduction target. India’s cement production will continue to
grow in the near future due to its GDP growth. The control of population,
improvement in plant efficiency and use of renewable energy are the important
options for the mitigation of CO2 emissions from Indian cement industries
Description:
Division of safety and Fire Engineering,
School of Engineering, Cochin University of Science and Technology
Udayakumar, P; Dr.Ouseph, P P(Cochin University Of Science And Technology, July 19, 2012)
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Abstract:
The nearshore marine ecosystem is a dynamic environment impacted by
many activities, especially the coastal waters and sediments contiguous to major
urban areas. Although heavy metals are natural constituents of the marine
environment, inputs are considered to be conservative pollutants and are
potentially toxic, accumulate in the sediment, are bioconcentrated by organisms
and may cause health problems to humans via the food chain. A variety of
metals in trace amounts are essential for biological processes in all organisms,
but excessive levels can be detrimental by acting as enzyme inhibitors.
Discharge of industrial wastewater, agriculture runoff and untreated sewage
pose a particularly serious threat to the coastal environment of Kerala, but there
is a dearth of studies in documenting the contaminant metals. This study aimed
principally to assess such contamination by examining the results of heavy
metal (Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd and Hg) analysis in seawater, sediment and
benthic biota from a survey of five transects along the central and northern
coast of Kerala in 2008 covering a 10.0 km stretch of near shore environment in
each transect. Trophic transfer of metal contaminants from aquatic invertebrates
to its predators was also assessed, by employing a suitable benthic food chain
model in order to understand which all metals are undergoing biotransference
(transfer of metals from a food source to consumer).The study of present contamination levels will be useful for potential
environmental remediation and ecosystem restoration at contaminated sites and
provides a scientific basis for standards and protective measures for the coastal
waters and sediments. The usefulness of biomonitor proposed in this study
would allow identification of different bioavailable metals as well as provide an
assessment of the magnitude of metal contamination in the coastal marine
milieu. The increments in concentration of certain metals between the predator
and prey discerned through benthic food chain can be interpreted as evidence of
biotransference.
Description:
School of Environmental Studies
Cochin University of Science and Technology
Jaison, C A; Dr.Sivanandan, Achari V(Cochin University of Science And Technology, October , 2012)
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Abstract:
Everywhere, on the coastal belt it is proved without doubt that the pristine ground
water quality was severely deteriorated after the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean
Tsunami. But how far is more relevant, as it is decided by the so-called pre-tsunamic
situation of the region. In water quality studies it is this reference finger print which
earmarks regional ground water chemistry based on which the monthly variability
could rationally be interpreted. This Ph D thesis comprises the testing and evaluation of the facts: whether there is any significant difference in the water quality parameters under study between stations
and between months in Tsunami Affected Dug Wells (TADW). Whether the selected
water quality parameters vary significantly from BIS and WHO standards. Whether
the water quality index (WQI) differ significantly between Tsunami Affected Dug
Wells (TADW) and Bore Wells (BW). Whether there is any significant difference in
the water quality parameters during December 2005 and December 2008. Is there any
significant change in the Water Quality Parameters before 2001 and after tsunami
(2005) in TADW.
Description:
School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology