A Model of Technology Transfer in Japan's Rapid Economic Growth Period

Why did the Japanese economy stagnate before World War II, how did it achieve rapid economic growth after the war, and why did it stagnate again after the 1970s? To answer these questions, I developed a two-country trade model with technology transfer, where firms in a developed country (the U.S.) transfer technology to the competitors in a developing country (Japan) if it is profitable to do so and where the technology transfer is the engine of economic growth. In this model, among multiple equilibria, the equilibrium with low labor cost in Japan was chosen during the rapid growth period. Then, the firms in the developed country transferred technology to the firms in the developing country, resulting in rapid growth. However, during the other periods, the equilibrium with high labor cost in Japan was chosen, which caused stagnation. The model is quantitatively consistent with the per capita GDP relative to the U.S., the purchasing power parity-exchange rate ratio, and to some degree, the swings in labor share of postwar Japan

Performance analysis of palm, jatropha and moringa biodiesels in a diesel engine / Md. Mofijur Rahman

The global energy consumption is expected to grow in a faster rate than the population growth. By 2030, an increase of 53% of global energy consumption and 39% of greenhouse gases emissions from fossil fuels are anticipated. Therefore, it has become a global agenda to develop clean alternative fuels which are domestically available, environmentally acceptable and technically feasible. As an alternative fuel, biodiesel seems as one of the best choices among other sources due to its environment friendly aspect and similar functional properties as diesel fuel. This research aims to produce biodiesel from some edible and non-edible oils that are either readily available or have native distribution in Malaysia. These oils include; Palm (Elaeis guineensis), Jatropha curcas and Moringa oleifera oils. This was followed by a detailed investigation of physic-chemical properties of the produced methyl esters such as kinematic viscosity, density, flash point, cloud point, pour point, cold filter plugging point, viscosity index and oxidation stability. This research also discusses the concept of biodiesel-diesel blending to improve some of the properties. Moreover, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by volume blends of Palm, Jatropha curcas and Moringa oleifera were used to evaluate their performance in a Mitsubishi Pajero turbocharged diesel engine. According to the results of the investigation, the produced methyl esters meet biodiesel standard specification. Moreover, blending of biodiesel with diesel fuel improves their fuel properties. The results of engine performance indicated that over the entire range of speed, biodiesel blended fuels give average reduction in torque, brake power and increased brake specific fuel consumption values compared to diesel fuel. In case of engine emission, biodiesel blended fuels give an average reduction in carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions whereas slightly increased nitric oxides and carbon dioxides emissions respectively compared to diesel fuel. Overall, Palm biodiesel blended fuel showed better performance than Jatropha curcas and Moringa oleifera biodiesel blended fuels. In conclusion, Palm, Jatropha curcas and Moringa oleifera are potential feedstock for biodiesel production, and up to 20% of their blends should be considered to replace diesel fuel without engine modification to reduce the dependency on petro-diesel and produce cleaner exhaust emissions

Optimisation of Second-Generation Biodiesel Production from Australian Native Stone Fruit Oil Using Response Surface Method

In this study, the production process of second-generation biodiesel from Australian native stone fruit have been optimised using response surface methodology via an alkali catalysed transesterification process. This process optimisation was performed varying three factors, each at three different levels. Methanol: oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration (wt %) and reaction temperature were the input factors in the optimisation process, while biodiesel yield was the key model output. Both 3D surface plots and 2D contour plots were developed using MINITAB 18 to predict optimum biodiesel yield. Gas chromatography (GC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of the resulting biodiesel was also done for biodiesel characterisation. To predict biodiesel yield a quadratic model was created and it showed an R2 of 0.98 indicating the satisfactory performance of the model. Maximum biodiesel yield of 95.8% was obtained at a methanol: oil molar ratio of 6:1, KOH catalyst concentration of 0.5 wt % and a reaction temperature of 55 °C. At these reaction conditions, the predicted biodiesel yield was 95.9%. These results demonstrate reliable prediction of the transesterification process by Response surface methodology (RSM). The results also show that the properties of the synthesised Australian native stone fruit biodiesel satisfactorily meet the ASTM D6751 and EN14214 standards. In addition, the fuel properties of Australian native stone fruit biodiesel were found to be similar to those of conventional diesel fuel. Thus, it can be said that Australian native stone fruit seed oil could be used as a potential second-generation biodiesel source as well as an alternative fuel in diesel engines

Effect of butanol additive on the performance and emission of Australian macadamia biodiesel fuel in a diesel engine

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of 5% butanol with biodiesel-diesel blends on the performance, emission, and combustion of a naturally aspirated multi-cylinder diesel engine at different engine speeds and full load conditions. Three types of local Australian biodiesel namely macadamia biodiesel (MB) were used for this study, and the data was compared with conventional diesel fuel (B0). Performance results showed that the addition of butanol with diesel-biodiesel blends slightly lowers the brake power (BP), increases brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and brake specific energy consumption (BSEC). The emission study revealed that the addition of butanol additive with diesel-biodiesel blends reduces carbon monoxides (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM) emission than macadamia-diesel blends and diesel (B0) fuel. Finally, 5% butanol can be added to local Australian biodiesel-diesel blends to lower the NOx and PM emission. © 2017 IEEE

Study on the tribological characteristics of Australian native first generation and second generation biodiesel fuel

Biodiesels are a renewable energy source, and they have the potential to be used as alternatives to diesel fuel. The aim of this study is to investigate the wear and friction characteristics of Australian native first generation and second generation biodiesels using a four-ball tribo tester. The biodiesel was produced through a two-step transesterification process and characterized according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The tribological experiment was carried out at a constant 1800 rpm and different loads and temperatures. In addition, the surface morphology of the ball was tested by scanning electron microscope (SEM)/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. The test results indicated that biodiesel fuels have a lower coefficient of frictions (COF) and lower wear scar diameter (WSD) up to 83.50% and 41.28%, respectively, compared to conventional diesel fuel. The worn surface area results showed that biodiesel fuel has a minimum percentage of C and O, except Fe, compared to diesel. In addition, the worn surface area for diesel was found (2.20%–27.92%) to be higher than biodiesel. The findings of this study indicated that both first and second generation biodiesel fuels have better tribological performance than diesel fuel, and between the biodiesel fuels, macadamia biodiesel showed better lubrication performance

Renewable energy in Bangladesh: Status and prospects

Rasul, M ORCiD: 0000-0001-8159-1321Global energy demand has risen sharply over the years with developing countries recording the greatest share in this trend. Biomass as an energy resource is mostly available locally and can easily be converted into secondary energy without huge capital investments. Nowadays, Bangladesh shares a percentage of renewable energy only 3% of total energy ratio, Bangladesh has already taken a master plan in the renewable energy sector. Whereas installed electricity generation installed capacity of Bangladesh rapidly increased to 13265 MW with captive generation capacity which is insufficient for fulfilling the demand of electricity of the nations. One-third of the power production of Bangladesh depends on expensive imported fossil fuel energy resources and 65% of power generation depends on a natural gas reserve of the country, though one day the reserve of current gas will be diminished. Moreover, inadequate electricity production leads the country in a un-industrialization. The present and future crucial energy crisis situation adapted by installing renewable power into electricity production. The current renewable energy agenda of Bangladeshi government force the specialization of renewable energy generation budget by decreasing global pollution with saving movement of biomass, solar, hydro, wind, and tidal power sector. This paper presents the currents national energy scenario of Bangladesh. According to this, the greater potentiality of renewable energy resources is also reviewed and presented in this paper. © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Sustainable biomass as an alternative energy source: Bangladesh perspective

Rasul, M ORCiD: 0000-0001-8159-1321Presently, the crisis of energy has become a growing concern all over the world and a serious barrier for the developing nations. Conversely, the resources of fossil fuels are limited and depleting due to the exploration and higher production activities around the glove. The impact of fossil fuels exploration has become a serious threat for naturalism and creates environmental hazardous accidents. However, the demand for energy in Bangladesh is increasing day by day and fossil fuel reserves continue the countries demand almost only 50 years. So, it is the high time to utilize its natural biomass resources to fulfill energy demand. The climate condition and waste generation rate of Bangladesh is key factors for biomass energy production. Nowadays the Bangladeshi government has made an agenda "waste to electricity" thus the utilization of biomass resources has become a blessing for the static economic growth in the nation. Recently Bangladeshi government has made an extra effort for the commercialization and marketable of biomass energy engendering and production in the country. This paper explored the potential of biomass energy as a sustainable energy source and their future implementation challenges in Bangladesh. © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Recent developments on internal combustion engine performance and emissions fuelled with biodiesel-diesel-ethanol blends

Ever increasing drift of energy consumption due to growth of population, transportation and luxurious lifestyle has motivated researchers to carry out research on biofuel as a sustainable alternative fuel for diesel engine. Biofuel such as biodiesel and ethanol, produced from renewable feedstocks, are the most appropriate alternative of petroleum fuels. However, direct using of ethanol in diesel fuel face some technical problem especially in cold weather, due to low cetane number, lower flash point and poor solubility. Biodiesel can be blended with both ethanol and diesel fuel and biodiesel–alcohol–diesel blends can be used in diesel engines. The aim of this review paper is to discuss the effect of mixed blends of biodiesel alcohol and diesel on engine performance and emission parameters of a diesel engine. Most of the researchers reported that adding ethanol into biodiesel-diesel blend in diesel engines significantly reduce HC, PM, NOx and smoke emissions but slightly increase fuel consumption. The study concluded that biodiesel-diesel-ethanol blend can be used as a substitute of petro-diesel fuel to reduce dependency on fossil fuel as well as the exhaust emissions of the engine

Role of biofuels on IC engines emission reduction

Vehicles are the main sources for environmental pollution especially those associated with diesel engines. It causes a number of health diseases and harm to the ecosystem. It is very urgent to find alternative fuel for vehicles. Biofuel is an alternative for vehicles which have potential to reduce engine emissions and maintain the air quality better. In recent years, worldwide biofuel production and use raised drastically. Some developed countries have put their target and mandate to use biofuel. The aim of this review is to discuss the impact of biofuel on diesel engines emission. From this review it is found that biofuel significantly reduces engine emissions and it has potential to reduce more than 80% of GHG emission. Finally, biofuel can be a viable alternative to be used as a transportation fuel

Role of biofuels on IC engines emission reduction

Vehicles are the main sources for environmental pollution especially those associated with diesel engines. It causes a number of health diseases and harm to the ecosystem. It is very urgent to find alternative fuel for vehicles. Biofuel is an alternative for vehicles which have potential to reduce engine emissions and maintain the air quality better. In recent years, worldwide biofuel production and use raised drastically. Some developed countries have put their target and mandate to use biofuel. The aim of this review is to discuss the impact of biofuel on diesel engines emission. From this review it is found that biofuel significantly reduces engine emissions and it has potential to reduce more than 80% of GHG emission. Finally, biofuel can be a viable alternative to be used as a transportation fuel