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This study investigates the characterization of the hydroxy-diesel fueled compression ignition engine under dual fuel (DF) mode on a stationary modified engine. Hydroxy gas (HHO) is supplied along with diesel at three different flow rates of 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 lpm. A significant reduction in emission parameters was obtained in carbon monoxide, unburnt hydrocarbon and smoke emission as ~58%, ~60%, and ~49%, respectively under the DF mode (at 0.75 lpm HHO and 10 kg load). However, a slight increment in nitrogen oxides (NO X) emission is observed due to the O 2 contents in HHO gas. It increases the reaction temperature and results in increasing the NO X emission. The brake thermal efficiency and brake specific energy consumption also improved and found to be ~6.5% and ~6% at the optimized condition. Combustion analysis shows the rate of pressure rise increased due to quicker combustion and decreased combustion duration. A numerical simulation has been performed to optimize the engine load and HHO flow rate using the Hybrid Entropy-VIKOR technique. In addition, a good agreement has been found between simulation and experimental values for performance and emission parameters. The results can be further improved by optimizing the engine operating parameters, i.e., injection pressure, compression ratio, and injection timing in the near future. Overall it can be concluded the HHO can be considered as a prominent alternative fuel for the CI engine with increased efficiency and lower emissions. Image 1 • Engine performance parameters (BTE and BSEC) improved with the hydroxy energy share. • Significant reduction in HC, CO, and smoke emission was observed with the HHO addition. • ROPR, in-cylinder MGT, and NHRR improved for D+0.75HHO mixture. • The engine operating parameters were optimized using the hybrid Entropy-VIKOR approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract:Photoacoustic spectrophotometer (PAS) has emerged as the most promising technology with its promise to resolve unmet issues in various domains. The advantages of PAS are nonvulnerability of the sample, trace quantity sample analysis, and short response time. Though it showed distinguished features close to its emergence, it is bereft of its importance in the present scenario. Certainly, there exists a transparent gap in understanding the current situation in forensic crime scene management and the application of PAS within the same discipline. This article aims to consolidate all this information to fill an existing knowledge gap and tries to establish trajectory of research done up to now. This article will also pinpoint the reasons behind why this advanced technique could not accomplish its respectable feat inside the market and restraint of optical business toward inventing and commercializing this merchandise. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Brucella is alpha-2 Proteobacteria mainly responsible for multi-factorial bacterial zoonotic disease brucellosis with low concentration (10–100 CFU) required to establish the infection. In this study, we developed sandwich ELISA with detection range of 102 to 108 cells mL−1 and limit of detection at 103 cells mL−1 by employing polyclonal rabbit IgG (capture antibody, 10 µg mL−1) and mice IgG (detection antibody, 50 µg mL−1) antibody for its detection. Surface Plasmon Resonance evaluated the interaction of detection antibody with whole cell spiked serum samples at LOD of 102 cells mL−1 along with non co-operative interaction of protein albumin. Further, kinetic evaluation study using detection antibody against cell envelope antigen was performed whereby, Equilibrium Dissociation Constant (KD) and Maximum Binding Capacity (Bmax) were found to be 16.48 pM and 81.67 m° for Brucella abortus S99 and 0.42 pM and 54.50 m° for Brucella melitensis 16 M, respectively. During interference study, sandwich ELISA assay cross-reacted with either of the polyclonal antibody of above Brucella species. Upon validation, no cross-reactivity observed with bacteria-closely related to Brucella. In conclusion, developed semi-quantitative sandwich immunoassay is sensitively rapid in whole cell detection of Brucella and will be useful in development of detection assays from environmental and clinical matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various agricultural wastes such as peels of pea (Pisum sativum) pod, tea (Camellia sinensis), and ginger (Zingiber officinale) and banana (Musa lacatan) waste were used to adsorb Cr(VI) from the aqueous solutions. A comparative adsorption efficiency study for all these adsorbents was done in laboratory for various pH, adsorbent doses, initial chromium concentrations, contact time, adsorbent sizes, temperature, and mixing speeds up to the optimization. The equilibrium sorption data were fitted into Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms and also the various thermodynamic parameters were determined. The value of R2 was determined for Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin as 0.964, 0.963, and 0.858 (pea pod peels waste (PPP)), 0.969, 0.986, and 0.841(tea & ginger waste (T&G)), 0.985, 0.982, and 0.886 (banana peel waste (BW)). The maximum monolayer coverage (Q0) from Langmuir isotherm model for pea pod, tea & ginger and banana peels waste were found to be 4.33 mg/g, 7.29 mg/g, and 10 mg/g, respectively, with separation factors (RL) 0.0331, 0.0343, and 0.0756 which are well within favorable sorption. From Freundlich isotherm model, the sorption intensity (n) for the same adsorbents was also less than unity showing normal sorption. The heat of sorption (B) was also determined from Temkin isotherm model as 0.215, 0.271, and 0.271, respectively, vividly proving a favorable physical sorption. The Gibbs free energy was found maximum for BW as 6.0679 joule/ mole. Out of the above said combination, BW was found the best low-cost adsorbent with high potential for the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Out of various strategies to extenuate the diesel engine emissions, use of water-blended diesel fuel in emulsified form is found to be a prominent option. The studies carried out by various researchers give quite inconsistent results for optimum water concentration, surfactant concentration, and HLB value. An effort has been made in this paper to analyze this inconsistency of water concentration and surfactant for engine emissions and performance along with the effect of compression ratio. The work has been carried out on a non-road, constant rpm, VCR (variable compression ratio) diesel engine. Different emulsions of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% water-in-diesel with 3% emulsifier concentration were tested on the diesel-optimized engine at CR 21. The results showed that emulsion of 15% water-in-diesel is optimal on the basis of emissions and performance. Further, the selected 15% emulsion is tested with 4% emulsifier concentration. It improved the stability of emulsion and performance of the engine with slight adverse effects on the NOx emissions. Then, emulsion with 4% surfactant and 15% water is tested to determine optimum compression ratio for emulsified fuels. CR 20 is found in optimum. Remarkably 9.28% improvement in BTE is observed reaching up to 23.89% as compared to 21.86% with bare diesel. 25.1% reduction in NOx and more than 50% reduction in smoke is observed. Overall, it is concluded that the water-blended diesel emulsion could serve as a fuel-efficient cleaner combustion technology and needs to be standardized. Abbreviations HLB: Hydrophile–Lipophile Balance; Cv: Calorific Value; W/D: Water in Diesel; PM: Particulate matter; RPM: Rotation per minute; HC: Hydrocarbon; CR: Compression Ratio; EGT: Exhaust Gas Temperature; BTE: Brake Thermal Efficiency; NOx: Oxides of Nitrogen; BSFC: Brake specific fuel consumption [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along with industrialization and transportation, the higher living standard is also the main reason for the increase in energy demand. This increasing energy demand motivates researchers to find new alternative fuels that are eco-friendly and sustainable. In this concern, to analyze the performance, emissions, and combustion characteristics of an SI engine fueled by petrol-acetylene under DF mode is the main purpose of this study. For this purpose, a VCR spark ignition engine was used and operated at the engine maximum speed (1800 rpm). The experimental study was carried out at different acetylene gas flow rates and spark timing.In this study, the acetylene gas flow rate was first optimized on a performance basis. Furthermore, the engine was run at an optimized acetylene gas flow rate (100 LPH) to find out the optimum value of spark timing. In further experimentation, it is also found that the BThE to be maximum and emissions were significantly low or comparable at spark timing 20º CA bTDC (at 100 LPH) as compared to other spark timing and baseline case at all loads. The effects of NOx and smoke are not considerable. Hence, it is not covered in this study. The heat release rate and peak cylinder pressure are found to increase with the advancement of spark timing. But knocking was observed at higher spark advance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid depletion of conventional fuel reserves and the increase in environmental pollution prompted the search for a sustainable energy solution. Biodiesel is one of the most promising energy substitutes with similar properties as conventional diesel fuel. Surplus availability of palm oil makes it suitable for biodiesel production. Due to the lack of availability of review articles that cover the entire process of palm biodiesel production and its optimum use in diesel engines, the authors were motivated to write this article. Cultivation parameters of palm trees, extraction of oil, and physicochemical properties of palm oil–based biodiesel are explained in this review. The production of palm biodiesel from raw oil can be done through pyrolysis, micro-emulsification, blending, hydro-esterification, and transesterification processes. For high biodiesel yield and less cost of operation, the transesterification method is adopted. The performance and emission parameters of diesel engines that operated on palm biodiesel and its blends are also explained. There is a decrease in brake thermal efficiency and an increase in brake-specific fuel consumption observed with the use of palm biodiesel in diesel engines. A reduction in CO and HC emissions and an increase in NOx emissions are found due to the oxygenating nature of palm biodiesel. This article provides the scientific approach to find out the optimum parameters for palm biodiesel production and its efficient use in compression ignition engines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latest research on fuels focused on exploring better alternatives for compression ignition engines. A large number of studies reported that the properties of biodiesel are comparable with traditional diesel fuel, which makes it a suitable alternative source of energy. Among various available feedstocks, waste cooking oil is considered as the most viable source for biodiesel production. Apart from being economical, it also reduces waste disposal issues. High free fatty acids and water content in waste cooking oil cause the production of biodiesel difficult. In order to overcome this difficulty, two-step transesterification method is preferred for commercial-scale biodiesel production. Several factors like catalyst concentration, alcohol to oil molar ratio, reaction temperature, and time of reaction affect the yield of biodiesel. This article provides a comprehensive review of biodiesel production from waste cooking oil and its use in compression ignition engines. In this review, fatty acid composition, pre-treatment process, catalytic and non-catalytic approaches of biodiesel production with their advantages and limitations are included. The effect of transesterification reaction parameters on biodiesel yield is also covered. The high viscosity of biodiesel than diesel fuel causes an increase in brake specific fuel consumption and a decrease in brake thermal efficiency of engines. Significant reduction in CO, HC, PM, and smoke emissions are identified; however, NO X and CO 2 emissions found increased due to the oxygenating nature of biodiesel. Overall, it could be concluded that biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil serves as a cleaner and economical alternative source of fuel for compression ignition engines. [Display omitted] • Approximately 30% of per capita edible oil consumption is generated as waste. • Two-step transesterification is the most efficient method for biodiesel production. • Yield of biodiesel is most influenced by the type of catalyst and its concentration. • Brake specific fuel consumption increases due to poor atomization of biodiesel. • CO, HC, PM, and smoke emissions from engine exhaust are reduced significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel approach of cow-urine (gomutra) emulsification in diesel is explored. • 15% Cow-urine emulsification in diesel was found optimum. • Significant 13.2% improvement in brake thermal efficiency was observed. • Water and urea content of the GMD emulsion resulted in reduced exhaust emissions. • NO x and smoke emissions got reduced up to 31.8% and 36.9% respectively. Apart from the various emission reduction strategies, a novel concept of cow-urine emulsification in diesel has been explored in this study. In India, cow urine is easily and readily available as gomutra distillate. It constitutes of around 95% water and exhibits the benefits of water emulsification to improve the brake thermal efficiency. Additionally, it consists of urea which works as a reducing agent and significantly cuts-down the NO x emissions. Sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium present in the cow-urine are also expected to enhance the fuel properties as found in various other researches. Emulsions containing 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% (v/v) cow-urine were tested on a stationary C.I. engine. The 15% emulsion was found to be optimum with a remarkable increase in BTE reaching up to 24.8% as compared to 21.9% with base diesel. In emissions, NO x and smoke got reduced by maximum up to 31.8% and 36.9% respectively. At lower loads, the CO emissions were found to be increased but at higher loads, it was also decreased. No significant variation in HC emissions was observed. Overall, cow-urine emulsified diesel fuel was found to be an energy-efficient and cleaner alternative fuel for stationary C.I. engine application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Classification of biodiesel generations on the basis of the type of feedstocks is covered. • Botanical description and growth condition requirements of jatropha are discussed. • Physicochemical properties and fatty acid profile of jatropha biodiesel are analyzed. • Production of biodiesel from jatropha oil with different techniques is summarized. • Performance and emissions characteristics of C.I. engine fuelled with jatropha biodiesel are reviewed. Due to limited reserves of conventional fossil fuels and their negative impact on global climate and human health, researches are focused to find the alternate energy substitute. Comparable properties of biodiesel make it one of the most promising alternatives of conventional diesel fuel. Jatropha curcas oil (non-edible oil) belongs to the second-generation of biodiesel. In this review, the physicochemical properties, fatty acids distribution, stability of jatropha oil are discussed in detail. The change in fatty acid profile affects the fuel properties, performance and emissions of diesel engines operated on jatropha biodiesel. Oxidation stability of jatropha biodiesel is poor due to the high amount of unsaturated fatty acids. Blending, thermal cracking, micro-emulsification, and transesterification are four basic approaches for production of biodiesel. Transesterification is the most adoptive method due to less expensive operation and high product yield. This article also highlighted the performance and emissions of compression ignition engines operated on jatropha biodiesel and its blends. The lower calorific value of jatropha biodiesel is responsible for the decrease in brake thermal efficiency and an increase in brake specific fuel consumption. High availability of oxygen in jatropha biodiesel reduces HC, CO, and PM emissions, while NOx emission increases significantly. This article provides the most of details of optimum parameters for jatropha biodiesel production and its efficient use in diesel engines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]