Conceptualization of the optimal design of a hydroxyl booster dry cell for enhancing efficiency of internal combustion engines

Abstract: Current internal combustion engines (ICEs) are powered by fossil fuels which create the challenges of low combustion efficiency and the emission of greenhouse gases. This has negatively affected the environment, leading to global warming and climate change. Interim technologies can be implemented to reduce these effects whilst alternative technologies are being explored. This research aimed at selecting the most appropriate geometrical design of a hydroxyl booster dry cell, a device which operates on the principles of electrolysis to produce hydroxyl gas commonly referred to as Brown gas or HHO. When a voltage is applied to a body of water, it splits it into its base components, i.e. hydrogen and oxygen cold plasma, a mixture sometimes referred to as hydroxyl gas. The addition of hydroxyl gas into the combustion chamber of an ICE initiates a more complete combustion due to the explosive and diffusive nature of hydrogen accompanied by the cooling effect of water thus reducing potential for NOx formation. This leads to fuel savings, cost savings and reduced emissions. A rectangular hydroxyl booster dry cell was selected and designed, fabricated and tested for effectiveness. The HHO generator is later connected to the ICE system to check mainly on the positive contributions of this Brown’s gas as HHO is popularly known

Influence of pulverized palm kernel and egg shell additives on the hardness, coefficient of friction and microstructure of grey cast iron material for advance applications

Previous studies showed the effects of organic carbon on the mechanical properties of alloys. However, the mechanisms of graphite films formation have not been given due attention. In the present study, diffusion of carbon content via heat treatment process to produce graphite films is presented using microstructure. Consequently, the graphite films formed a protective layer on the heat treated metals which cause hardness increase and in turn improved the wear resistance of the heat treated material due to reduced coefficient of friction. The excellent tribological properties of carburized grey cast iron showed the potentials of palm kernel and egg shell for advance material modification

Characterization of Hibiscus Flower as a Potential Source of Electric Supply

Deriving energy from plant has generated new technologies that are impressive. The success of harnessing energy in plants means that a global challenge has been truly solved. In this paper, the focus was to improve upon the plasmon technology in converting light to electricity such as photovoltaic. A metallic coated plant extract (MCPE) was synthesized and characterized in an unusual characterization set-up to determine the basic properties required for the plasmon technology. The MCPE was found to have band gap of 3.15 eV and possesses the basic properties of electron clouds oscillating about a mean position. This result means that the MCPE is a bio-particulate option that can replace the inorganic nanoparticles in the plasmon experiment. Further work on testing the MCPE in plasmon set-up is recommended

Comparative effects of organic and inorganic bio-fillers on the hydrophobicity of polylactic acid

The use of Polylactic acid (PLA) has been limited in the biomedical field because of its slow degradation profile which is traceable to its degree of hydrophobicity. In this work, 16.67 wt. % of chitosan (Ch), chitin (Ct) and titanium (Ti-6Al-2Sn-2Mo-2Cr-0.25Si) (Ti) powders weremelt blended with PLA and the resulting composites examined using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Chitosan was found to reduce the hydrophobic peak due to δs(CH3) in PLA by 13.92%, chitin by 10.65% and titanium by 8.04%. Summarily, the organic biofillers produced more hydrophilic PLA composites than the inorganic filler. The percentage reduction in hydrophobicity renders the developed composites more suitable for orthopaedic applications

The Strength characteristics of Chitosan‐ and Titanium‐ Poly (L‐lactic) Acid Based Composites

The problem of bone fracture and the need to avoid revision surgery in osteosynthesis are the critical reasons for the gradual shift from the use of metallic fixations to the polymeric scaffold in the orthopaedic applications. However, the mechanical properties of polymers that have become a substitute for metals need to be improved upon. An attempt was made to improve the mechanical properties of poly(L‐lactic) acid (PLLA), a biopolymer, by loading it with 1.04, 2.08, 4.17, 8.33 and 16.67 wt.% of chitosan (an organic filler) and Ti‐6Al‐2Sn‐2Mo‐2Cr‐0.25Si (an inorganic particle). Melt blend technique was the processing technique. Hardness, compressive modulus and fracture toughness of virgin PLLA improved significantly while the resulting composites were found to be less ductile than unreinforced PLLA. Titanium reinforced PLLA displayed superior mechanical properties over the neat and chitin reinforced PLLA. Compressive modulus values of the developed composites were much lower than the modulus of cortical bone, they were, however, mechanically compatible with the properties of cancellous bone. Optical microscopy images also show the formation of pores which are a catalyst for cell proliferation and cell differentiation

Parametric Effects of Fused Deposition Modelling on the Mechanical Properties of Polylactide Composites: A Review

Polymers are generally inferior in mechanical properties to metals which are the current orthopaedic material for osseointegration in many parts of the world today. This assertion also applies to poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a polyester that has been recently found applicable in tissue remodelling. To improve on its mechanical properties, several processing techniques, inclusive of fused deposition modelling (FDM) also branded as fused filament fabrication (FFF), have been used. FDM has been endeared to many researchers because a range of parameters can be combined to bring about widely different mechanical properties. Although the influence of FDM parameters on the mechanical properties of PLA is clear, the tensile, compressive and flexural strengths obtained so far are inferior to human cortical bone. The need to improve on this production technique for improved mechanical properties is apparent in all the works examined in this revie

Inhibition of Gram-negative and fungi strains of microbes inducing microbiologically-influenced-corrosion by Tectona grandis cappedn Fe-nanoparticle

In this paper, the inhibition effect by Tectona grandis Capped Fe-nanoparticle on the growth of Gram- negative and fungi strains of microbes (that are known to induce microbiologically-influenced-corrosion of metals) was investigated. For the study, two Gram-negative and two fungi strains of microbes were employed, with comparison of the inhibition performance by the Fe-nanoparticle material (for which leaf-extract from Tectona grandis was employed as precursor) with what obtained from use of an antibi- otic chemical control. Results showed that while the Gram-negative and fungi strains of microbes for the study were resistant to the control antibiotic chemical, they all exhibited sensitivity to the biomaterial-based Fe nanoparticle, which well inhibited their growth. The results from this paper therefore support recommendation on the usage of the Fe bio-synthesized nanoparticle for inhibiting microbiologically-influenced metallic corrosion in environments infested by the Gram-negative and fungi strains of microbes employed in this pape

Modelling of A36 Steel Plate Dynamic Response to Uniform Partially Distributed Moving Iron Load using Differential Transform Method

In the present paper the authors focus on dynamic response of A36 steel plate supported by a simple subgrade, under a moving iron load. The fourth order partial differential equations governing the dynamic behavior of the plate were transformed into their algebraic forms using differential transform method. The new set of algebraic equations were solved analytically. Computer software - Maple was deployed to plot the three-dimensional (3D) graphs. The results obtained revealed that the absolute value of the deflection of the steel was very high when the mass of the iron load is highest at constant velocity. Also, the A36 steel plate deflected more under a moving iron load especially with a high velocity and less foundation rigidity

Mathematical Modelling and Analysis of Human Arm as a Triple Pendulum System using Euler – Lagragian Model

This study attempts to model the human arm as a dynamical triple pendulum system. The equation of motion of te human arm was obtained using Euler-Lagrange equation. The resulted second order differential equation was solved analytically. Simulated results were presented with the aid of a computer software – Maple. It was observed that the angular displacement values of the three segments are directly proportional to their respective angular acceleration, which is in the modelling and analysis of human arm motion as a multiple pendulum system. Generally, the longer the segments of the human arm the longer it takes to swing back and forth, and the fewer back-and-forth swings there are in a secon

Effect of Punch Diameters on Shear Extrusion of 6063 Aluminium Alloy

This paper reports the effect of punch diameters on the shear extrusion of 6063 Aluminium alloy. During the shear extrusion process, Aluminium billets of considerable diameter 30 mm and height 25 mm were inserted in a die hole and different punches of diameter 12 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm and 18 mm respectively were allowed to come in contact to perform the shear operation. The setup took place under a hydraulic press with maximum capacity of 600 kN. This work is aimed at studying the selection of the optimum punch diameter for shear extrusion using local groundnut oil as the lubricant. Different extrusion pressures were measured and the punch with a diameter of 18 mm gives the highest load of 77.7 kN while the punch with a diameter of 12 mm gives the lowest load of 51.2 kN. An indication shows that, an increase in the punch diameters led to an increase in the height of the extrudates and this in turn reduces the stress induce