Assessment and usability of Jatropha biodiesel blend with phenolic antioxidant to control NOx emissions of an unmodified diesel engine.

The excessive utilization of fossil fuels has worsened global warming and exacerbated the levels of air pollution in the environment, forcing us to consider alternative fuels for compression ignition engines. The current research aims to explore the possibilities of renewable fuels outperforming diesel fuel in terms of combustion, performance, and emission characteristics. Biodiesel is an environmentally friendly and renewable alternative fuel. The major drawback of biodiesel is the significant rise in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The main novelty and objective of this research is to investigate the performance and emission characteristics of variable compression ratio diesel engine using DPA antioxidant additive. For this investigation, diesel, Jatropha biodiesel (B30) and 100 ppm of phenolic antioxidant diphenylamine (DPA) blended with B30 have been used as fuel named B30+DPA100. From experimental outcomes, the inclusion of diphenylamine to B30 blend resulted in brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and exhaust gas temperature (EGT) being reduced by 8.86% and 4.12%, respectively, compared to B30. Simultaneously, there was a 1.11% increase in brake thermal efficiency (BTHE). The B30+DPA100 fuel blend demonstrates effective control over NOx and other emissions. The emissions of NOx, carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), and smoke from the B30+DPA100 blend have shown a reduction of 6.8%, 5.34%, 7.86%, and 15.67%, respectively, when compared to diesel. However, there has been an increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) by 7.8%. One notable advantage of the B30+DPA100 blend is the significant decrease in NOx emissions. Additionally, the cylinder pressure for B30+DPA100 has been lowered by 4.93% compared to B30. On the other hand, the net heat release rate (NHR) has experienced a 1.72% increase. The particle size of different elements present in the crankcase oil has been calculated by Zetasizer Nano. The analysis revealed varying particle sizes for different elements in the crankcase oil: aluminum (2.724 µm), chromium (2.78 µm), iron (2.423 µm), and lead (2.587 µm).

Electroretinographic assessment of early retinopathy in rats.

Amoscanate, a substance which damages photoreceptors, was administered orally to Wistar rats in doses of 10, 40, and 125 mg/kg body weight once daily for 3 or 10 days. At both times electroretinographic, ophthalmological, and histopathological examinations of the retina were carried out to compare the sensitivity of conventional methods and to test electroretinography (ERG) for suitability for use in toxicity studies. Time-dependent and dose-dependent effects were found by electroretinography and light microscopy. However, signs of retinal changes appeared earlier and more distinctly in the electroretinogram. Ophthalmological fundus examination in albino rats yielded no characteristic correlate. In conclusion, electroretinography constitutes a valuable supplement to histopathology and is suitable for use in toxicity studies.