Application of Taguchi experimental design for optimization of biodiesel production by transesterification of used cooking oil with methanol

In this work Taguchi method was used for the optimization of experimental parameters such as catalyst concentration, molar ratio of methanol to oil, reaction temperature, and reaction time on transesterification for the production of used cooking oil methyl ester. The optimum conditions for used cooking oil methyl ester production were a catalyst concentration of 1.5 grams, methanol amount of 20 by volume, a reaction temperature of 50°C, and a reaction time of 60 minutes. The methyl ester content under these optimum conditions was 94 by volume which was very close to the predicted (96.67 by volume) biodiesel yield. Results obtained from Taguchi method match closely with ANOVA and reaction temperature is the most influential parameter in the production of used cooking oil methyl ester. © Research India Publications

Investigation of characteristics of spark ignition engine fuelled with ethanol-gasoline blends using Iso-octane additive

The quick depletion of petroleum reserves rises in automobile emissions, and an increase in costs and concerns for the environment has prompted a relentless quest to substitute fuels. For Gasoline, one of the best alternatives is found to be Ethyl Alcohol. As it is obtained from biomass crops enriched with starch, sugar, and cellulose material. These crops are renewable and pollution-free. The nature of ethyl alcohol is the same as compared to petrol. Both are liquid, and in this way, storage and transport are similar. Both can be blended expertly and burnt. In the present study, E30 (30% Ethanol + 70% Gasoline) blend was used and tests were carried out for a single-cylinder, 4- stroke, computerized spark-ignition (SI) gasoline engine fitted with eddy current dynamometer. Further, a precisely adjusted exhaust gas analyzer and the performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of the Spark Ignition Engine were recorded in “Enginesoft” software. In order to reduce the problem of knocking in the Spark Ignition Engine, along with E30 Blend, Iso-Octane additive, which is an excellent anti-knocking agent, was added in 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5% by volume, i.e., E30+0.3, E30+0.4 and E30+0.5 respectively

Determination of the parent of origin in nine cases of prenatally detected chromosome aberrations found after intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Prenatal cytogenetic analysis of 71 fetuses conceived by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) resulted in the detection of nine (12.7%) chromosome aberrations including two cases of 47,XXY, four cases involving a 45,X cell line and three autosomal trisomies. Molecular analysis of the parental origin of the deleted or supernumerary chromosome was performed by using polymorphic microsatellite markers. Six cases involving a sex chromosome abnormality were found to be of paternal origin while the two trisomic cases that could be analysed were of maternal origin. Two cases involved the same infertile couple who had two consecutive ICSI pregnancies terminated because of a chromosome abnormality. The replaced embryos in both cases originated from a single batch of ICSI fertilized oocytes of which part was used to initiate the first pregnancy and part was cryopreserved and used to initiate the second pregnancy