Shubham Srivastava

This study evaluates the performance of inherent flame-retardant (FR) fabrics under low-pressure steam exposure and characterises their response to hot surfaces, convective and radiant heat, and molten aluminium—one of the most common industrial hazards in India. The investigation compares FR-treated cotton, 100% para-aramid fabric (325 g/m²), and Savesplash® fabric (550 g/m²), a blend of FR viscose, para-aramid, and high-shrink PVC fibre. The fabrics are coated with neoprene on one side using the knife roller coating method. Results indicate that Savesplash® outperforms 100% para-aramid fabric in convective, radiant and contact heat resistance due to its higher thickness and weight. In the case of molten aluminium, both fabrics demonstrate superior performance when the molten aluminium is poured onto the coated side. However, under low-pressure steam conditions of 3 bar at 120⁰C, 100% para-aramid exhibits better resistance than Savesplash®. Further research is required to assess aluminised fabrics under higher temperatures, increased steam pressure, and varied molten metal exposures.

Solar energy has certain limitations such as seasonal variations, cloudy weather etc. Because of these limitations, it is very difficult to perform the experiments in Rainy and winters seasons. To tackle this problem, we have to use solar simulators. It is source of artificial lights, very much similar to concentrated sunlight. It can be analyzed that increased demand in manufacturing and development of solar simulators for testing and simulation of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy utilization. This paper reviews the solar simulator light sources for testing photovoltaic panels as well as for thermal applications. Light intensity, cost, durability and stability were included as a criterion for comparing solar spectrum with lamp wavelength spectrum. The classification of solar simulator depend on the light source application and their technological innovations were considered according to the literature. Also, carbon arc lamp, argon lamp, high pressure sodium lamps, quartz tungsten halogen lamp, mercury xenon lamps, xenon arc lamps, metal halide lamps, LEDs and super continuum laser are discussed in details. Also, multi light source solar simulator discussed as a separate topic.