Influence of varying concentrations of TiO2 nanoparticles and engine speed on the performance and emissions of diesel engine operated on waste cooking oil biodiesel blends using response surface methodology.

For a few decades now fast depleting fossil fuels has been a major challenge. Fast expanding population and increased rate of urbanization has increased energy demand. This makes the current scenario worse. Fossil fuels' emissions are another challenge. Apart from fossil fuel emissions, the untreated disposal of waste cooking oil presents another environment's sustainability challenge. The treatment of waste cooking oil as fuel presents a tangible solution to challenge. In this research article, impact of the engine speed and the concentration of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) in diesel-biodiesel blended fuels on the engine's performance. The emission characteristics of a single-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine has also been examined. TiO2 NPs were produced by a sol-gel methodology. The diesel-biodiesel combination was fortified with TiO2 NPs at 40, 80 and 120 ppm. These mixtures were used to power the diesel engine, which was then run at 1150, 1400, 1650, 1900 and 2150 RPM. Interaction between engine speeds and nanoparticle concentrations and investigation of their combined effect on engine performance and emissions was done using response surface methodology. The minimum BSFC of 0.33994 kg/kWh and maximum BTE of 25.90% were found for B30 + 120 ppm biodiesel blend at 2150 rpm as compared to all other tested fuels. The emissions including CO and HC emissions were recorded as 25.61486 kg/kWh and 0.05289kg/kWh respectively at 2150 rpm for B30 + 120 ppm biodiesel blend while NOx on the contrary side exhibits a slight escalation with increasing engine speed and nanoparticles concentration. The findings of the experiments demonstrated that adding TiO2 nanoparticles to diesel-biodiesel blends is an effective way to enhance the performance of diesel engines while simultaneously reducing the emissions. It was also discovered that the mathematical model that was built can efficiently estimate the performance of the engine and the emission levels.

Experimental and Computational Analysis of Newly Synthesized Benzotriazinone Sulfonamides as Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the pancreas secretes insulin but the body cells do not recognize it. As a result, carbohydrate metabolism causes hyperglycemia, which may be fatal for various organs. This disease is increasing day by day and it is prevalent among people of all ages, including young adults and children. Acarbose and miglitol are famous alpha-glucosidase inhibitors but they complicate patients with the problems of flatulence, pain, bloating, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. To overcome these challenges, it is crucial to discover new anti-diabetic drugs with minimal side effects. For this purpose, benzotriazinone sulfonamides were synthesized and their structures were characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. In vitro alpha-glucosidase inhibition studies of all synthesized hybrids were conducted using the spectrophotometric method. The synthesized compounds revealed moderate-to-good inhibition activity; in particular, nitro derivatives 12e and 12f were found to be the most effective inhibitors against this enzyme, with IC50 values of 32.37 ± 0.15 µM and 37.75 ± 0.11 µM. In silico studies, including molecular docking as well as DFT analysis, also strengthened the experimental findings. Both leading compounds 12e and 12f showed strong hydrogen bonding interactions within the enzyme cavity. DFT studies also reinforced the strong binding interactions of these derivatives with biological molecules due to their lowest chemical hardness values and lowest orbital energy gap values.

Influence of Low Sintering Temperature on BaCe0.2Zr0.6Y0.2O3-δ IT-SOFC Perovskite Electrolyte Synthesized by Co-Precipitation Method.

BaCe0.2Zr0.6Y0.2O3−δ (BCZY) perovskite electrolytes were synthesized for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell with a cost-effective and versatile co-precipitation method. The synthesized BCZY electrolytes were sintered at 900, 1000, and 1100 °C to observe the effects of low sintering temperature on the structural, morphological, thermal, and electrical properties of BCZY. All BCZY electrolytes materials exhibited a crystalline perovskite structure and were found to be thermally stable. The crystallinity and conductivity of BCZY electrolyte enhanced with increased sintering temperature, due to the grain growth. At the same time, secondary phases of carbonates were also observed for samples sintered at a temperature lower than 1100 °C. The BCZY sintered at 1100 °C exhibited a density >95%, and a power density of 350 mWcm−2 with open-circuit voltage 1.02 V at 650 °C was observed due its dense and airtight structure. Based on the current investigation, we suggest that the BaCe0.2Zr0.6Y0.2O3−δ perovskite electrolyte sintered at a temperature of 1100 °C is a suitable electrolyte for IT-SOFC.

Effect of Addition of Palm Oil Biodiesel in Waste Plastic Oil on Diesel Engine Performance, Emission, and Lubricity.

This research was aimed to examine the diesel engine's performance and emission of secondary fuels (SFs), comprising waste plastic oil (WPO) and palm oil biodiesel (POB), and to analyze their tribological properties. Their compositions were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Five SFs (10-50% POB in WPO) were prepared by mechanical stirring. The results were compared to blank WPO (WPO100) and Malaysian commercial diesel (B10). WPO90 showed the maximum brake power (BP) and brake torque (BT) among the SFs, and their values were 0.52 and 0.59% higher compared to B10, respectively. The increase in POB ratio (20-50%) showed a negligible difference in BP and BT. WPO70 showed the lowest brake-specific fuel consumption among the SFs. The brake thermal efficiency (BTE) increased with POB composition. The maximum reductions in emission of hydrocarbon (HC, 37.21%) and carbon monoxide (CO, 27.10%) were achieved by WPO50 among the SFs. WPO90 showed the maximum reduction in CO2 emission (6.78%). Increasing the POB composition reduced the CO emissions and increased the CO2 emissions. All SFs showed a higher coefficient of friction (COF) than WPO100. WPO50 showed the minimal increase in COF of 2.45%. WPO90 showed the maximum reduction in wear scar diameter (WSD), by 10.34%, compared to B10. Among the secondary contaminated samples, SAE40-WPO90 showed the lowest COF, with 5.98% reduction compared to SAE40-WPO100. However, with increasing POB content in the secondary contaminated samples, the COF increased. The same trend was also observed in their WSD. Overall, WPO90 is the optimal SF with excellent potential for diesel engines.

Sustainability of Palm Biodiesel in Transportation: a Review on Biofuel Standard, Policy and International Collaboration Between Malaysia and Colombia.

Biodiesel is gaining prominence as a superior alternative source of energy to replace petroleum-based fuel in transportation. As of today, the biodiesel market continuous to rise up as the biofuel has been introduced to more than 60 countries worldwide. The aim of the present review is to highlight on the scenario of the biofuel implementation in transportation sector towards sustainable development in Colombia and Malaysia. Colombia serves as an ideal comparative case for Malaysia in terms of biodiesel development since the country is the main palm oil producer in Latin America region and the pioneer in bioethanol industry. The first section shows an overview on the biodiesel as an alternative fuel in transportation. The next section will focus on a comparative study between Malaysia and Colombia biodiesel sector in terms of energy supply, resource, production and consumption, standards, techno-economic cost and their biodiesel policies. A comprehensive review was studied to discuss on the sustainability of palm cultivation and biodiesel, impact of palm industry and biodiesel policy in transportation sector and potential international collaboration between Malaysia and Colombia to improve their existing policies, strategies and blueprints related to the palm biodiesel industry, thus overcoming the challenges when dealing with global energy issue.

Study of diesel engine characteristics by adding nanosized zinc oxide and diethyl ether additives in Mahua biodiesel-diesel fuel blend.

This study deals with an experimental investigation to assess the characteristics of a modified common rail direct injection (CRDI) engine utilizing diesel, Mahua biodiesel, and their blends with synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) nano additives. The physicochemical properties of diesel, diesel + 30 ppm ZnO nanoparticles (D10030), 20% Mahua biodiesel (MOME20), and Mahua biodiesel (20%) + 30 ppm ZnO nanoparticles (MOME2030) were measured in accordance to the American Society for Testing and Materials standards. The effects of modification of fuel injectors (FI) holes (7-hole FI) and toroidal reentrant combustion chamber (TRCC) piston bowl design on the performance of CRDI using different fuel blends were assessed. For injection timings (IT) and injection opening pressure (IOP) average increase in brake thermal efficiency for fuel blend D10030 and MOME2030 was 9.65% and 16.4%, and 8.83% and 5.06%, respectively. Also, for IT and IOP, the average reductions in brake specific fuel consumption, smoke, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions for D10030 and MOME2030 were 10.9% and 7.7%, 18.2% and 8.6%, 12.6% and 11.5%, 8.74% and 13.1%, and 5.75% and 7.79%, respectively and 15.5% and 5.06%, 20.33% and 6.20%, 11.12% and 24.8%, 18.32% and 6.29%, and 1.79% and 6.89%, respectively for 7-hole fuel injector and TRCC. The cylinder pressure and heat release rate for D10030 and MOME2030 were enhanced by 6.8% and 17.1%, and 7.35% and 12.28%. The 7-hole fuel injector with the nano fuel blends at an injection timing and pressure of 10° btdc and 900 bar demonstrated the overall improvement of the engine characteristics due to the better air quality for fuel mixing. Similarly, the TRCC cylinder bowl geometry illustrated advanced ignition due to an improved swirl and turbulence. Also, the engine test results demonstrated that 30 ppm of ZnO nanoparticles in Mahua biodiesel (MOME2030) and diesel (D10030) with diethyl ether resulted overall enhancement of CRDI engine characteristics.