Types Of Blends Research Articles

Effects of high bioethanol proportion in the biodiesel-diesel blends in a CRDI engine

In this experimental study, the usage of high bioethanol proportion in the different types of biodiesel-diesel blends were carried out to discover the effects of the high bioethanol proportion on the injection, combustion, performance and emission parameters of a common rail diesel injection (CRDI) engine with two stage injection (TSI) strategy under different engine loads. The TSI strategy consisted of two stage direct injection into the cylinder as a pilot and main injection. The bioethanol (BE) was produced used wastes originated from sugar production process, animal-based (AB) biodiesel was originated from waste fleshing oil and the vegetable based (VB) biodiesel was obtained from safflower-canola oil mixture. Pure diesel fuel (DF), three AB ternary blends (bioethanol-diesel-animal based biodiesel), and three VB ternary blends (bioethanol-diesel-vegetable based biodiesel) were determined as test fuels. Bioethanol ratios were 25% and 35% by mass in the AB and VB ternary blends, while biodiesel concentration was fixed to be 20% by mass. It was found that the maximum cylinder gas pressure (Pmax) of the VB ternary blends observed higher than that of AB ternary blends and DF at high loads, while the Pmax decreased by usage of AB and VB ternary blends at low and medium load conditions. Longer ignition delay (ID), higher thermal efficiency, lower maximum pressure rise rate (MPRR) values were observed by usage of the higher percentage of bioethanol (35 by mass%) in the AB and VB ternary blends at medium and high load conditions. AB ternary blends were more effective than the VB ternary blends on the reduction in total hydrocarbon (THC) emission, while carbon monoxide (CO) emissions increased with the increase in bioethanol content in the AB and VB ternary blends at low and high load conditions. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and smoke emissions can be decreased by usage of high bioethanol proportion in the blends at high load conditions, simultaneously. The combustion and emission results showed that the usage of ternary blends with TSI strategy contributed to the elimination of the negative effects of the high bioethanol content.

Effects of Irradiation by UV- Acceleration on Mechanical Properties of Polymer Blends (Polyester: Starch)

This work covers mixing of unsaturated polyester (un- polyester) with starch powders as polymer blends and study the effects of irradiation by UV-acceleration on mechanical properties of its. The unsaturated polyester was mixing by starch powders at particle size less than (45 µm) at selected weight fraction of (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3%). These properties involve ultimate tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, elongation percentage, flexural modulus, flexural strength, fracture toughness, impact strength and hardness. The results illustrate decrease in the ultimate tensile strength at and elongation percentage, while increasing modulus of elasticity, with increasing the weight ratio of starch powder to 3 % weight fraction, whereas the maximum value of hardness and flexural, impact properties happened at 1 % weight fraction for types of polymer blends.

ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT OF RUBBER BLENDS WITH RECYCLED RUBBER

Nowadays, recycled and reclaimed rubber was used as a component in rubber blends in order to save natural resources and to solve the problem of waste rubber. The composition of those blends influences the properties of rubber product, but also the consumption of natural resource, complexity of the system for the rubber blends production and therefore the product price. In this paper, The Analytic Hierarchy Process method was applied to assess rubber blends from environmental, economic, and technical perspective. Different criteria were used for the analysis of: natural resources consumption, mechanical properties of rubber blends, complexity of production system, and product price. Three various types of rubber blends were taken into consideration: virgin rubber based on styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), virgin rubber and reclaimed rubber made from whole tire, virgin rubber filled with recycled rubber powder (RRP). The obtained results show that virgin rubber and reclaimed rubber made from whole tire are the best ranked in terms of all criteria. Key words: Rubber blends, natural recourses, recycled rubber, reclaimed rubber, Analytic Hierarchy Process.

Improved mine waste characterisation through static blended test work

Prediction of the geoenvironmental characteristics of mine waste materials typically relies on the static and kinetic testing of individual waste units. In reality, waste rock piles are heterogeneous landforms containing potentially acid forming (PAF) units juxtaposed with non-acid forming (NAF) units. Despite this, predictive geoenvironmental test work programs rarely characterise blends of waste materials. Through undertaking laboratory-based blended static testing and mineralogical assessments, a first insight into the leachate chemistry of a waste landform can be ascertained. This was tested using three waste units (Type A – alkaline, B – neutral and D – PAF; n=31) obtained from the Savage River mine, Western Tasmania. Seven daughter blend types (1–7; n=42) were prepared using different ratios of the individual waste types, and characterised by acid base accounting and mineralogical techniques. Blend types were NAF when a maximum of 20% of Type D was used, with daughter blend 4 (90% Type A+10% Type D) the most inert when screened against ANZECC (2000) aquatic protection trigger values. This study demonstrates that through first-pass static blended testing, opportunities exist to improve waste-rock handling practices and design NAF waste piles once field trials, involving a range of particle sizes, have been conducted.

Nanoscale chemical imaging of a deuterium-labeled polyolefin copolymer in a polyolefin blend by atomic force microscopy-infrared spectroscopy

A combination of atomic force microscopy-infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) and a deuterium-labeled ethylene-propylene (EP) copolymer enables direct nanoscale chemical imaging of all three components in a polyethylene/polypropylene/ethylene-propylene copolymer blend for the first time. AFM-IR is a hybrid technique that provides the spatial resolution of AFM with the chemical selectivity of IR. Deuterium labeling of the EP copolymer enables it to be distinguished from the blend components. This combination enables chemical imaging of all components in the polyolefin blend at a spatial resolution (∼50 nm) that far exceeds conventional Fourier-transform infrared and Raman microscopy, which are limited by the diffraction of light. AFM-IR spectra and images of the C-D stretch in the polyolefin blend definitively establish that the deuterium-labeled EP copolymer is dispersed in the polyethylene matrix. This strategy is broadly applicable to other types of polymer blends that contain chemically-similar components.

A multi-technique characterization of the stability of surfactant containing solid dispersion based buccal patches prepared by hot melt injection moulding

This study investigates the stability of typically complex multi-component hydrophilic solid dispersions that could be used in a clinical application. Felodipine solid dispersions in two types of blends consisting of PEG, PEO and Tween 80 or Vit E TPGS were prepared by hot melt-injection moulding (HMIM) across a range of drug loadings and subjected to a range of storage conditions. Microscopy, thermal analysis, spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the systems. The semi-solid surfactant TPGS showed a better solubilizing effect on the drug than the liquid surfactant Tween 80 in the fresh state and offered some degree of protection over the chemical degradation of PEG/PEO. Better storage stability was observed for the systems with low drug loading. Crystallization of a new metastable polymorphic form of felodipine in the patches with drug loadings at and above the saturation point was observed. Quantitative comparison of the data sets was achieved by a normalisation process and calculation of statistical variance. TPGS containing patches were more sensitive to the aging process than Tween containing patches. For both surfactants, such instability is more responsive to the storage temperature than humidity. This study established a methodology for probing the complex stabilities of multi-component dispersions.

In situcharacterization methods for evaluating microstructure formation and drying kinetics of solution-processed organic bulk-heterojunction films

Abstract

Impact of plastic blends on the product yield from co-pyrolysis of lignin-rich materials

Co-pyrolysis of lignin-rich materials with two types of plastic waste blends was evaluated. Blend 1 (B1) comprised 30% m/m styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR, from rubber granules used tires), 40% m/m polyethylene terephthalate (PET, from scrap bottles), and 30% m/m polypropylene (PP, from scrap bumpers). Blend 2 (B2) comprised 40% m/m PET (from scrap bottles), 30% m/m PP (from automotive scrap), and 30% m/m acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS, from automotive scrap). The lignin-rich materials evaluated were wood biomass, agrarian biomass, and waste from furniture. The feedstock-to-product energy conversion efficiency (FP-ECE) was also studied. Samples were thermally treated from room temperature to 400 or 600°C at a heating rate of 10°Cmin−1 under N2 at a flow rate of 3dm3min−1. In light of the experimental results, an appropriate temperature for the fixed-bed pyrolysis of biomass-plastic mixtures with various ratios was determined and the raw materials were pyrolysed under the same conditions. The solid (char), liquid and gaseous products of pyrolysis were analysed. The pyrolysis experiments and analysis of variance showed that the combination of biomass with plastic materials had a positive effect on the liquid and gas yields.

The effect of a novel hybrid nano-catalyst in diesel-biodiesel fuel blends on the energy balance of a diesel engine

In internal combustion engines, only about a third of the total fuel input energy is converted into useful work. If the energy rejected into the cooling system and the exhaust gases could be recovered instead and put into useful work, fuel economy would have been substantially improved. The main aim of this research paper was to evaluate the effects of the hybrid nano-catalyst containing cerium oxide and molybdenum oxide in amide-functionalized multiwall carbon nano-tubes (MWCNTs) on the thermal balance of a diesel engine using two types of diesel-biodiesel blends (B5 and B10) in three concentrations (30, 60, and 90 ppm). The research engine was a single-cylinder, four-stroke, direct-injection, and air-cooled diesel engine. The engine was run at two speeds (1,700 rpm and 2,500 rpm) in full load conditions. The thermal efficiency (useful work) resulting from the energy transferred into the cooling system, the exhaust gases, and the unaccounted losses, including the lubricating oil heat loss and the convection and radiation heat transfer, were computed using the first law of thermodynamics. The results showed that by increasing the amount of nano-catalysts (cerium oxide and molybdenum oxide) in fuel blends, the energy transferred to the cooling system and exhaust gases were decreased. The highest reduction in the energy transferred to the cooling system and the exhaust gases was 5.38% and 2.26% for B5, containing 90 ppm (B590ppm), and 5.61% and 2.62% for B10, containing 90 ppm (B1090ppm) respectively. Also, the thermal efficiency went up. Compared with the nano-catalyst-free fuel blends, the highest increase in thermal balance was observed as 6.75% and 5.41% for B590ppm and B1090ppm respectively.

The Use of Biodiesel Residues for Heat Insulating Biobased Polyurethane Foams

The commercial and biobased polyurethane foams (PUF) were produced and characterized in this study. Commercial polyether polyol, crude glycerol, methanol-free crude glycerol, and pure glycerol were used as polyols. Crude glycerol is byproduct of the biodiesel production, and it is a kind of biofuel residue. Polyol blends were prepared by mixing the glycerol types and the commercial polyol with different amounts, 10 wt%, 30 wt%, 50 wt%, and 80 wt%. All types of polyol blends were reacted with polymeric diphenyl methane diisocyanates (PMDI) for the production of rigid foams. Thermal properties of polyurethane foams are examined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and thermal conductivity tests. The structures of polyurethane foams were examined by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Changes in morphology of foams were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties of polyurethane foams were determined by compression tests. This study identifies the critical aspects of polyurethane foam formation by the use of various polyols and furthermore offers new uses of crude glycerol and methanol-free crude glycerol which are byproducts of biodiesel industry.

The Synthetic Cannabinoids Phenomenon.

« Spice » is generally used to describe the diverse types of herbal blends that encompass synthetic cannabinoids on the market. The emergence of smokable herbal products containing synthetic cannabinoids, which mimic the effects of cannabis, appears to become increasingly popular, in the new psychoactive substances landscape. In 2014, the existence of 134 different types of synthetic cannabinoids were reported by the European Union Early Warning System. These drugs are mainly sold online as an alternative to controlled and regulated psychoactive substances. They appear to have a life cycle of about 1-2 years before being replaced by a next wave of products. Legislation controlling these designer drugs has been introduced in many countries with the objective to limit the spread of existing drugs and control potential new analogs. The majority of the synthetic cannabinoids are full agonists at the CB1 receptor and do not contain tobacco or cannabis. They are becoming increasingly popular in adolescents, students and clubbers as an abused substance. Relatively high incidence of adverse effects associated with synthetic cannabinoids use has been documented in the literature. Numerous fatalities linked with their use and abuse have been reported. In this paper, we will review the available data regarding the use and effects of synthetic cannabinoids in humans in order to highlight their impact on public health. To reach this objective, a literature search was performed on two representative databases (Pubmed, Google Scholar), the Erowid Center website (a US non-profit educational organization that provides information about psychoactive plants and chemicals), and various governmental websites. The terms used for the database search were: "synthetic cannabinoids", "spice", "new psychoactive substances", and/or "substance use disorder", and/or "adverse effects", and/or "fatalities". The search was limited to years 2005 to 2016 due to emerging scientific literature at this period Health professionals should take into account that limited scientific evidence is available regarding the effect of synthetic cannabinoids use in humans. It thus urges to launch more systematic epidemiological studies, to develop and validate screening procedures, and to investigate the neurobiological and psychological correlates and risk factors associated to synthetic cannabinoids use and misuse.

Comparison of the effects of animal and vegetable based biodiesel in the bioethanol-diesel blend on the combustion and emission characteristics of a common rail diesel engine

The usage of animal biodiesel (AB) was derived from waste fleshing oil, and vegetable biodiesel (VB) was produced from safflower-canola oil mixture in the bioethanol-diesel fuel blend have been investigated to find out the effects of biodiesel content and type on the combustion and emission parameters of a multi cylinder common rail diesel engine. The test fuels were determined as pure fossil diesel fuel (DF), bioethanol-diesel blend with 15% of bioethanol (E15) by mass and three bioethanol-diesel-biodiesel blends prepared for AB and VB that were mixed with different ratios. Biodiesel ratios varied at %5, %10 and %20 by mass in the bioethanol-diesel-biodiesel blends, while bioethanol-diesel concentration was maintained constant. Engine tests were conducted at constant engine speed and four different engine loads. The results of this study showed that maximum cylinder gas pressure (Pmax) of the DF were higher than those of test blends at low and medium engine loads, while Pmax and heat release rate (HRR) of the biodiesel-bioethanol-diesel blends were obtained higher than that of DF at high engine load. Brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of the test blends were calculated higher than that of DF. Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions of the both types of biodiesel blends were measured higher, while smoke and total hydrocarbon (THC) emissions of these blends were measured lower when compared with DF.

Effect of polymer blend types and gamma radiation on the physico-chemical properties of polycarbonate

ABSTRACTSamples from polycarbonate (PC) were classified into two main groups. The first group was blended with Abietic acid (Rosin) with different compositions, while the second group was blended with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer with almost the same composition. A comparative study of the effect of both Rosin and EVA concentration on the thermal stability of PC has been investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The results show that blending with Rosin causes the dominance of degradation. Samples from PC with 20% Rosin blend were irradiated with gamma at the dose of range 20–300 kGy. The resultant effect of gamma radiation on the structural properties of the 20% Rosin/ 80%PC blend has been investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared FTIR spectroscopy. The results indicate that degradation of the polymer blend dominates, thus increases the creation of hot free radicals that leads to the formation of color centers in PC. In addition, the transmission of the 20% Rosin/80%PC samples as well as color changes was studied. The color intensity ΔE was greatly increased with increasing the gamma dose up to 300 kGy, accompanied by a significant increase in the blue color component.

Late post-injection of biofuel blends in an optical diesel engine: Experimental and theoretical discussion on the inevitable wall-wetting effects on oil dilution

In a diesel engine, diesel particulate filter is used to reduce particle matter emissions. Diesel particulate filter requires periodic regenerations under high-temperature conditions in the exhaust pipe in order to oxidize the accumulated soot. A common strategy to produce high exhaust gas temperature is to inject late post-injections after the main injection. However, this practice may dilute the engine oil, causing engine wear. Biofuel addition to petroleum diesel may increase oil dilution even more. This is related to the fuel spray characteristics, the post-injection control and the vaporization process of fuel in engine oil. In this study, spray properties of late post-injection were studied with petroleum diesel and two types of transport biofuel blends containing 30% either fatty acid methyl ester or hydro-treated vegetable oil. Three different late post-injection timings were investigated. Image sequences of the main spray flame as well as the non-combusting late post-injection spray were extracted. In order to verify oil dilution during regeneration cycle and late post-injection, oil samples from six-cylinder test engine were analyzed. According to the present experiments, differences in the spray characteristics are not significant with the tested fuels. However, higher oil dilution rates were observed with fuel blend composed of 30% fatty acid methyl ester. All the studied late post-injection timings were noted to lead to the unwanted cylinder spray/wall interaction and wall-wetting consequently diluting the engine oil. The spray/wall interaction is thoroughly explained by introducing a theoretical/computational framework which characterizes any spray/wall interaction in terms of a phase diagram for any considered operation conditions. The novelty of this study arises from (1) first comparison of fatty acid methyl ester and hydro-treated vegetable oil blends in an optical engine, (2) strong evidence on the phenomena related to post-injection phase in six-cylinder and single-cylinder optical engine configurations and (3) the development of a single-droplet model showing inevitable wall-wetting.

Design principles for the blend in blended learning: a collective case study

ABSTRACTThis paper reports on a collective case study of three blended courses taught by different instructors in a higher education institution, with the purpose of identifying the different types of blend and how the blend supports student learning. Based on the instructors’ and students’ interviews, and document analysis of course outlines, two major principles, consolidation and extension, differentiating the design of the three courses, are identified. The consolidation principle emphasises designing different types of activities for students to think again, so that their knowledge can be consolidated. The extension principle emphasises the extension of the space of learning and catering the diverse needs of students. There are also design principles commonly found, with the emphases on student autonomy, interaction and feedback, and the awareness of student diversity. The findings contribute to the design of blended learning, especially on how the face-to-face and online components can be combined.

Evaluation of the development of aggregate packing in porous asphalt mixture using discrete element method simulation

Packing in coarse aggregates is the main factor for porous asphalt mixture's (PAM) resistance to external loading and deformation. Eight PAM gradations were designed, and aggregate backbone generated in the aggregate blend with particles larger than 2.36 mm was assessed through voids content in the aggregates under dry-rodded condition (VADRC) for four types of unbound aggregate blend (i.e. Blend-1∼Blend-4). Corresponding models, namely Model-1∼Model-4, were generated for each gradation design using discrete element method (DEM). Through the effect of sequentially adding increasingly finer particle components on the voids content, aggregates larger than 2.36 mm were classified into three categories: main coarse, interceptor, and quasi-fine. The particle-to-particle contact can well explain the development of packing structure in an assembly of particles via the DEM simulation parameter, mean coordination number in coarser fraction (MCNcr), and MCNcr of an intermediate value indicated adequate interaction developed by the coarser and finer fractions in a blend. Especially for Model-4, an attained MCNcr value at 4.0 or higher indicated that aggregates coarser than 4.75 mm were capable of maintaining a stable framework as finer aggregates were being added, accompanied by Voids in the Coarse aggregate ratio being less than 1.0. On the whole, the DEM simulation is effective in evaluating the packing structure and is found to be useful in guiding gradation design for PAM.

Improvement of wheat straw hydrolysis by cellulolytic blends of two Penicillium spp.

Co-culture of fungal strains Penicillium janthinellum EMS-UV-8 (E), Penicillium funiculosum strain P (P) and Aspergillus sp. strain G (G) and blending of their crude cellulase were evaluated for improvements in cellulase activities as well as for enhanced hydrolysis of dilute acid pretreated wheat straw (PWS). The blending of crude enzymes of P and E enhanced the hydrolysis of PWS more effectively due to synergism in cellulolytic enzyme activities. Here, three types of blends were made on the basis of equal FPUs, equal protein content or fixed volume containing different proportions of individual enzymes, the former blend hydrolyzed 42.6% of PWS due to the 98%,62%, 64% and 34% synergistic enhancement in endo-glucanase, cellulase (FPU), β-glucosidase and xylanase activities, respectively. Hydrolysis at 10% solid loading of PWS in roller bottle reactor with this blend further enhanced hydrolysis yield to 74% within 24 h, which was much better than the corresponding hydrolysis yields of individual (38.1% by E and 61.5% by P) or the commercial enzyme (62.3%). This study proved that synergistic blends of cellulases from two Penicillium spp. are cost-effective tools for efficient wheat straw hydrolysis for on-site biofuel production.

Effect of Variant End of Injection Period on Combustion Process of Biodiesel Combustion

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel as a replacement to the standard diesel fuel in combustion diesel engine. The biodiesel fuel has a significantly influences throughout the combustion process and exhaust emission. The purpose of this research is to investigate the combustion process behavior during the End of Injection (EOI) period and operates under variant conditions using Rapid Compression Machine (RCM). Experimental of RCM is used to simulate a combustion process and combustion characteristics of diesel engine combustion. Three types of biodiesel blend which are B5, B10 and B15 were tested at several injection pressures of 80 MPa, 90 MPa and 130 MPa under different ambient temperatures, 750 K to 1100 K. The results of this study showed that the ignition delay slightly reduced with increasing the content of biodiesel blends from B5, B10 and B15 and became more shorten as the injection pressure been enhanced. As the injection pressure increased, the behavior of combustion pressure at end of injection is reduced, radically increased the NOX emission. It is noted that the process of combustion at the end of injection increased as the ambient temperature is rising. In fact, higher initial ambient temperature improved the fuel atomization and mixing process. Under the biodiesel combustion with higher ambient temperature condition, the exhaust emission of CO, O2, and HC became less but increased in NOX emission. Besides, increased in blends of biodiesel ratio are found to enhance the combustion process, resulted a decreased in HC emissions.

Technological value of blends (bread wheat flour and durum wheat semolina) for bread manufacture

In the present study, the rheological and baking properties of blends containing bread wheat flour and durum wheat semolina were analyzed. Two bread wheat varieties (Almansor, Pirana), three durum wheat varieties (Celta, Helvio, Marialva) and two replacement levels (25 and 60%) were used to determine differences in dough behaviour and bread properties. These varieties showed difference in their properties, once they have different allelic composition for the most determinant loci to quality (Glu-1 in bread wheat and Glu-3 in durum wheat). The addition of durum wheat semolina to Almansor flour had a deleterious effect on almost all quality parameters. The dough stability and loaf volume of Pirana flour (weak bread wheat) were improved when blends were made with Helvio’s semolina. The replacement level of durum wheat in both types of blends increased alveograph P/L and yellowish crumb colour but decreased alveograph deformation energy W and loaf volume of blends with Almansor. This study showed the possibility of making bread with acceptable characteristics using mixtures of bread and durum wheats, although, can cause lower bread volume.

EXPLOITATION OF EM.1-TREATED BLEND OF ORGANIC RESOURCES AND HUMIC ACID FOR ORGANIC BERSEEM (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) PRODUCTION

A field trial was conducted to evaluate blends of organic resources and humic acids, in order to enhance organic berseem forage production. The objective of this study was to compare an EM.1 (effective microorganisms)-treated blend of organic resources with an untreated blend of organic resources, and thereby evaluate the usefulness of humic acid as an organic fertilizer. The two types of blends,each with 4 application levels(0, 15, 30, and 45 t·ha−1), and humic acid (4 application levels: 0, 15, 30, and 45 kg·ha−1) were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement (blend types were the main plot factor and humic acid a sub-plot factor). Except for the difference in EM.1 inoculation, both blends were prepared by co-composting cow manure, poultry manure, and kitchen waste (2:1:1 ratio by volume, respectively). The differences among treatments with respect to fresh and dry yield, as well as mineral composition were recorded. The blend treated with effective microorganisms was found to be a more effective fertilizer than the untreated blend. Additionally, heavier application of both types of organic resource blends and humic acid enhanced both fresh and dry yields, and improved the mineral composition of the crop. These findings are valuable for organic growers and it may open a new avenue for researchers worldwide. Key words: Effective microorganisms, Organic fertilizers, Composting, Mineral composition