Evaluation of Biodiesel Production, Engine Performance, and Emissions

Nowadays, to decrease environmental pollution and dependence on fossil-based fuels, research on alternative renewable energy sources has been increasing. One such renewable energy source is biodiesel, which is used as an alternative fuel for diesel engines. Biodiesel is renewable, nontoxic, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. Biodiesel is domestically produced from vegetable?oil (edible or nonedible), animal fat, and used cooking oils. In the biodiesel production process, oil or fat undergoes transesterification reaction through use of simple alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, etc. Use of methanol is most feasible because of its low cost, and physical and chemical advantages. Acid catalysis, alkali catalysis, and enzyme catalysis are usually used to improve the reaction rate and yield. Glycerol is a byproduct of the reaction and can be used as an industrial raw material. In this study, biodiesel production methods (direct use, pyrolysis, microemulsion, transesterification, supercritical processes, ultrasound-assisted, and microwave-assisted) and types of catalyst (homogeneous, heterogeneous, and enzyme) have been evaluated and compared. In addition, the effects of biodiesel and its blends on diesel engine performance and exhaust emissions are described and reviewed. © 2016, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society

Effect of repeated quenching heat treatment on microstructure and dry sliding wear behavior of low carbon PM steel

Air Force Office ot Scientific Research (AFOSR/AOARD);Busan Convention and Visitors Bureau;Changsung Corporation;EHWA DIAMOND IND. CO. LTD.;GLOSCO. LTD.2006 Powder Metallurgy World Congress and Exhibition, PM 2006 -- 24 September 2006 through 28 September 2006 -- Busan -- 71120The effect of repeated quenching heat treatment on microstructure and dry sliding wear behavior of low carbon PM steel was investigated. For this purpose, atomized iron powder was mixed with 0.3 % graphite and 1 % Ni powders. The mixed powders were cold pressed and sintered at 1200°C for 30 min under pure Ar gas atmosphere. Some of the sintered specimens were intercritically annealed at 760°C and quenched in water (single quenching). The other sintered specimens were first fully austenized at 890°C and water quenched. These specimens were then intercritically annealed at 760°C and re-quenched in water. The martensite volume fraction in the double quenched specimens was higher than that of the single quenched specimen. Wear tests were carried out on the single and double quenched specimens under dry sliding wear condition using a pin-on-disk type machine at constant load and speed. The experimental results showed that the wear coefficient effectively decreased in the double quenched specimen

Using of cotton oil soapstock biodiesel-diesel fuel blends as an alternative diesel fuel

In this study, usability of cotton oil soapstock biodiesel-diesel fuel blends as an alternative fuel for diesel engines were studied. Biodiesel was produced by reacting cotton oil soapstock with methyl alcohol at determined optimum condition. The cotton oil biodiesel-diesel fuel blends were tested in a single cylinder direct injection diesel engine. Engine performances and smoke value were measured at full load condition. Torque and power output of the engine with cotton oil soapstock biodiesel-diesel fuel blends decreased by 5.8% and 6.2%, respectively. Specific fuel consumption of engine with cotton oil soapstock-diesel fuel blends increased up to 10.5%. At maximum torque speeds, smoke level of engine with blend fuels decreased up to 46.6%, depending on the amount of biodiesel. These results were compared with diesel fuel values. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved