Foreign Exchange Savings Research Articles

Optimizing coal mill for efficient Thar lignite utilization

ABSTRACT To achieve energy security and sustainable economic development, Pakistan is shifting focus to its abundant Thar lignite, aiming to reduce dependence on costly coal imports for powering industries and homes. This research explores coal pulverizers and mills, focusing on optimizing their design and functionality to efficiently utilize Thar lignite. The study examines Thar coal properties at various blend ratios, highlighting its value as a domestic resource. It explores lignite drying techniques using flue gas and primary air to reduce moisture content, enhancing calorific value and combustion efficiency. The core of the research proposes modifications to Beater Mills and Vertical Roller Mills (VRMs) to seamlessly accommodate Thar lignite. These adjustments ensure efficient lignite utilization and address challenges posed by its distinct properties. To highlight the economic impact of this transition, the research conducts a comprehensive cost analysis. The findings reveal the substantial foreign exchange savings that could be achieved by substituting imported coal with Thar lignite, with the potential for annual savings reaching a maximum of US$1.226 Billion. In essence, this research serves as a beacon guiding Pakistan toward a future powered by its abundant lignite, setting the stage for enhanced energy independence, economic resilience, and a more sustainable tomorrow.

Qualification of Compressor Impeller for Aero-Engine Application

This paper presents the approach for qualification of indigenously developed compressor impeller for aero engine application. Indigenisation is understood to be the most important tool for effective technical empowerment of a developing nation. Indigenisation philosophy is adopted by several countries in various fields such as power, infrastructure, aerospace, military equipments and etc. Indigenous development fills the technical, financial and time frame gap between imports and ab-initio design and development. Hence, for a healthy technical growth of any developing nation, Indigenous development activities should go along with ab-initio design activities. Indigenous development has become an integral process of activities of Defence sectors due to its potential benefits. Indian defence imports stands at staggering 65 % of the total defence acquisition. In order to make the best use of indigenization opportunities in the defence sector, conservative figures would suggest an amount more than 100,000 crores. This gives an indication of the potential and benefits of indigenous development in defence sectors.
 In this paper a methodology for indigenous development of a military turboshaft engine compressor impeller is discussed. This activity has enabled uninterrupted supply of the component and a substantial Foreign Exchange savings. This paper specifies the various tests conducted over the forging. It also brings out the results of cyclic spin test on the component for 22500 cycles as life substantiation, 15% and 22% over speed test as structural integrity substantiation and 150 hours type test on engine for quality and assembly substantiation.
 This indigenous development procedure described in this paper can be readily extended to suitable critical aero engine component.

Analysis of Multi-Layer Perceptron and Long Short-Term Memory on Predicting Cocoa Futures Price

Predicting the price of Cocoa Futures is needed by farmers and also the government in determining policies. The uncertainty of price movements can affect farmers’ income and also foreign exchange savings because Indonesia is the largest cocoa-producing country in the world. In this study, we use the cocoa futures dataset to train using Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) to make a prediction of the cocoa futures price. In that way, this study resolves the uncertainties using the MLP method and also the LSTM, where these two methods produce a model using the input of data train and data test to predict the price of cocoa futures contracts and then be compared to see which one is the right one for the cocoa dataset. The dataset used is quoted from the Investing.com page taken from 2003 to 2021. The result of this study is the best model between MLP and LSTM model, where the LSTM can produce the best model using 50-50 Train to test data ratio, 128 batch size, and 64 Neurons on the hidden layer with evaluation metrics value in RMSE is 2.27, MAE is 32.11, and MAPE is 1.29 or 98.71% accuracy. This is because the LSTM model has logic gates in the layers that have an advantage on time series data using memory, where the LSTM model could memorize the output and use the output again as an input to achieve the best output.

Exploring the freight transportation transitions for mitigation and development pathways of India

Greenhouse gas emissions and PM2.5 pollution from vehicular exhausts and the consequent negative externalities underline the urgency of investigating low-carbon pathways for the freight sector. This paper undertakes a comprehensive analysis to determine the implications of a modal shift in the freight sector for the environment, energy systems and the economy. Stakeholder consultations are used to develop the qualitative narratives that are further used to set the parameters in energy-economy optimization models for deriving quantitative pathways. Our analysis includes four scenarios: Current Policy (CPS), Road Focused (FROAD), Rail Technology (TRAIL) and Harmonized Multimodal (HMML). The HMML scenario follows a balanced approach harmonizing the twin goals of reducing imported fuels and carbon emissions that can simultaneously assist in achieving development and decarbonization targets. Our results show that the HMML scenario based on the multimodal approach of creating a level playing field for all modes can reduce fossil fuel imports by 87.6% and CO2 emissions by 96%, relative to CPS in 2050. The HMML scenario also envisages significant macroeconomic benefits – the cost of logistics as a percentage of GDP falls to 11%, and there are cumulative foreign exchange savings of 3.8 trillion USD from 2016 to 2050. However, electrification, the leading technology for the respective decarbonizing modes, will need policies that enhance research and innovation on batteries and infrastructure investments for charging along national and state highways. The main policy insight from our analysis is that multimodal logistics policy needs to be designed in alignment with clean energy-based electrification policy and national rail plans so that uniform rules from the origin govern all modes to the destination of goods transport.

A comparative study of biodiesel production by microwave assisted and conventional transesterification methods

Nowaday’s use of biofuels for both power generation and automobiles is more relevant because of the need for energy security, environmental concerns, foreign exchange savings and socio-economic issues. Non-edible oils are considered as second generation alternative fuels and use of these oils avoids conflict between food and energy security. Therefore various locally available vegetable oils of edible and nonedible nature were selected for their biodiesel production. Subsequent characterization of these biodiesels was carried out to ensure their suitability as alternative fuels in diesel engines. Subsequently characterization of both raw vegetable oils and their respective biodiesels was done according to ASTM standards. The experimental investigation also suggests that the fuel processing with conventional transesterification method is a laborious and time consuming one. On the other hand microwave assisted transesterification (MATM) is found to be better in terms of shorter reaction time, lower consumption of power and resources compared to conventional transesterification process. MATM method reduces the reaction time drastically for both edible and non-edible oils. For edible oils the reaction time is found to be 1 minute while for nonedible oils it varies from 3 to 6 minutes. The biodiesel production from pressure reactor uses same resources required by the conventional transesterification method [CTM], but it is conducted in a closed vessel. This feature enhances the chemical kinetics, thereby reducing the reaction time up to 66% compared to conventional method.

Recent development patterns, utilization and prospective of biofuel production: Emerging nanotechnological intervention for environmental sustainability – A review

The word biofuel is here referred to as liquid or gas fuel mainly derived from biomass for the transport sector. There are many reasons why biofuels are viewed by both developed and industrialized countries as important technologies. These include reasons related to energy supply, climate, foreign exchange savings, and rural socio-economic issues. The term modern biomass is generally used to describe the traditional use of biomass through effective and clean fuel technologies and a long-term provision of biomass resources as well as environmental and competitive fuel, heating, and power using state-of-the-art conversion technologies. For electricity and heat generation, modern biomass can be used. The most recent biomass-backed transportation fuel is bioethanol and biodiesel as well as diesel generated by synthesis from biomass Fischer–Tropsch. The petroleum additive/substitute is bioethanol. Wood, paint, and even household waste can be processed into bio-ethanol economically. The organic ethanol comes from alcoholic fermentation by hydrolysis process of the saccharides or simple sugars provided by biomass. Starch, sugar or oil-generating crops are currently the basis for the production of transport fuel. The use of vegetable oils for the production of biodiesel has been renewed because of less pollutant and sustainable nature than traditional petroleum diesel. The role of catalysts in biofuel production is highly praised as the rate of conversion and reusability are the major concerns of production economics. Biodiesel is a petroleum-based diesel renewable alternative. Bio-oil production is enabled by biomass energy conversion facilities. In the biomass thermal conversion processes, pyrolysis is the most critical method. A brief overview of the basic concepts involved in biomass fuel thermochemical conversion is reviewed with a major focus on the use of nanotechnologies for biofuel production. High potential heterogeneous nanocatalysts (zinc oxide, silver oxide, doped nanoparticles, alloy nanoparticles, titanium dioxide, magnesium dioxide, iron oxide, and others), as well as their synthesis and characterization have been considered with much emphasis on green production strategies. The share of biomass in the renewable energy sector is around 62%. The key benefit of using biomass energy is reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITIES OF TRADERS AND PRIVATE HOUSEHOLDS IN REALIZING INDEPENDENT WELFARE THROUGH THE MOVEMENT OF LOVE TO SAVING SHARE (GERMAS) IN GAMPONG BLANG PULO AS A EXAMPLE OF GAMPONG INVESTMENT

In the industrial era 4.0 technology has emerged and people's thoughts are increasingly democratic. Nowadays, we see a lot of phenomena in coffee shops where young people with their laptops can buy company shares through investment and get dividends. This investment activity will encourage a country's economy, absorb labor, increase output resulting in foreign exchange savings or even increase foreign exchange. Investment aims to get a fixed income in each period, meet future needs and so on. Thus, the increase in the value of this investment is expected to help economic growth for the welfare of the community. (www.idx.co.id) The condition of the community in Blang Pulo Village is in a position that is still in the lower middle-class community where most people earn from farming and trading. Almost the average community does not have savings prepared for the future. Others are in a weak economic position where their income is only enough for their daily meals. With the investment village, it is hoped that the trading community in Gampong Blang Pulo will be willing to follow directions to save shares every month on a regular basis to get the maximum profit possible. (https://kampungkb.bkkbn.go.id) An investment village is an activity to introduce investment to the community and invite people to save shares. As well as providing guidance on how to invest properly and correctly that can generate future returns without any element of usury. With the investment village program, it is expected to be able to develop the potential that has been pioneered by the community to be more developed. The investment village will be held in Gampong Blang Pulo and will be assisted by local village officials in its implementation. The Investment Village Extension activity began with recording and visiting people's homes and then making friendly gatherings to increase friendship. After that, conducting counseling to invite people to save shares regularly every month and provide guidance on the capital market and conduct socialization in Gampong Blang Pulo to make the investment village program a success.

ФІНАНСИ ДОМОГОСПОДАРСТВ В СТРУКТУРІ ІНВЕСТИЦІЙНИХ РЕСУРСІВ КРАЇНИ

Фінанси домогосподарств є значним джерелом фінансових ресурсів з огляду на можливість їх залучення до інвестування реального сектору економіки, зокрема промислового виробництва. Структура економіки країни свідчить про переважну роль промисловості у створенні внутрішнього валового продукту, водночас промислові підприємства відчувають суттєвий брак фінансових ресурсів для забезпечення стабільного та стійкого розвитку своєї господарської діяльності, безпеки фінансового стану. Це спонукає промислові підприємства до пошуку альтернативних джерел фінансування. Заощадження, які є частиною фінансів домогосподарств і не знаходять застосування на фінансовому ринку як кредитний капітал, цілком можна використовувати як інвестиційні ресурси промислових підприємств. У статті проведено дослідження структури та джерел формування доходів домогосподарств, а також основних напрямів витрачання коштів домогосподарствами України.

Macroeconomic assessment of India’s development and mitigation pathways

ABSTRACT Although a rapidly growing economy, India faces many challenges, including in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Moreover, post-2020 climate actions outlined in India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement envision development along low-carbon emission pathways. With coal providing almost three-quarters of Indian electricity, achieving such targets will have wide-ranging implications for economic activity. Assessing such implications is the focus of our research. To do so, we use a hybrid modelling architecture that combines the strengths of the AIM/Enduse bottom-up model of energy systems and the IMACLIM top-down economy-wide model. This hybrid architecture rests upon an original dataset that brings together national accounting, energy balance and energy price data. We analyse four scenarios ranging to mid-century: business-as-usual (BAU), 2°C, sustainable 2°C and 1.5°C. Our 2°C pathway proves compatible with economic growth close to the 6% yearly rate of BAU from 2012 to 2050, at the cost of reduced household consumption but with significant positive impact on foreign debt accumulation. The latter impact stems from improvement of the trade balance, whose current large deficit is the primary cause of high fossil fuel imports. Further mitigation effort backing our 1.5°C scenario shows slightly higher annual GDP growth, thereby revealing potential synergies between deep environmental performance and economic growth. Structural change assumptions common to our scenarios significantly transform the activity shares of sectors. The envisioned transition will require appropriate policies, notably to manage the conflicting interests of entrenched players in traditional sectors like coal and oil, and the emerging players of the low-carbon economy. Key policy insights Low carbon pathways are compatible with Indian growth despite their high investment costs Moving away from fossil fuel-based energy systems would result in foreign exchange savings to the tune of $1 trillion from 2012 to 2050 for oil imports. Achieving deep decarbonization in India requires higher mobilized capital in renewables and energy efficiency enhancements. Phasing out fossil fuels would, however, require careful balancing of interests between conventional and emerging sector players through just transitions.

Sustainability index assessment of palm oil-based bioenergy in Indonesia

This paper reported the status of Indonesian sustainable palm oil-based bioenergy development. The sustainability assessment of palm oil-based bioenergy has become a critical issue due to its positive impact to the foreign exchange savings in Indonesia. Otherwise, several negative appraisements, especially in the social and environment aspect have caused disapproval of Indonesian bioenergy products in the global energy market, as well as in the European Union. The status of sustainability which is described by the sustainability index has been obtained from the multidimensional scaling analysis. This study was conducted through several stages, including: (1) Determining the sustainability indicators which are most appropriate for palm oil-based bioenergy in Indonesia, and also a recommendation in the establishment of Indonesia Bioenergy Sustainability Indicators. (2) Assessing the sustainability index through the multidimensional scaling analysis. The focus group discussion has recommended 10 sustainability indicators. Indonesia Bioenergy Sustainability Indicators was divided into 2 indicators on the environmental aspects, 3 indicators on the social aspects and 5 indicators on the economic aspects. Meanwhile, on the environmental aspect (waste management and clean production) was subdivided into 3 sub indicators. The results of the sustainability assessment have obtained the average score index of 35.02% which indicates that the Indonesian sustainability status of the palm oil based bioenergy is still low (less sustainable). This research also showed the level of sustainability of each aspects, which is the score index of the economic aspects of 38.03% (less sustainable), the social aspect of 16.07% (unsustainable) and environmental aspect of 50.97% (sustained moderate). In conclusion, these sustainability index are expected to be useful as the foundation of determining the best strategy for future Indonesian bioenergy development.

A review of the sustainability of Jatropha cultivation projects for biodiesel production in southern Africa: Implications for energy policy in Botswana

Abstract Jatropha curcas L. biofuel development is considered a strategy for achieving energy security, climate change mitigation, foreign exchange savings and economic development. This paper reviews the experiences of some southern African countries with the impacts of Jatropha biofuel development on sustainability, with a view to providing lessons for biofuel development policy for Botswana. The review has shown that most of the large commercial plantations planned to produce jatropha seed for home consumption and export were not economically viable mainly due to low seed yield, high cost of production, delayed production and uncompetitive feedstock prices. On the other hand, smallholder-based jatropha biofuel projects were economically viable due to their low input costs. Analysis of social impacts showed that jatropha production has been associated with loss of rights to land, low compensation levels, and compromised food security where land and other production inputs were diverted from food crops to jatropha production. Positive social impacts in some countries included increased employment opportunities and incomes. Jatropha production is associated with environmental impacts such as loss of biodiversity, high water requirements and high carbon debts resulting from conversion of land. Positive environmental impacts included high energy return on investment and high GHG savings when Jatropha is cultivated on abandoned agricultural fields as revealed by research in some parts of West Africa. Policy considerations for the Government of Botswana include: providing support to biofuel projects at their early stage of development, discouraging large plantation business models until such time that research in Botswana produces high seed-yielding Jatropha varieties, introducing legal safeguards for protection of land rights of local communities, and ensuring that land-use change and high carbon debts are minimized as they have adverse impacts on biodiversity and climate change.

Effect of Hydrogen and Hydrogen Enriched Compressed Natural Gas Induction on the Performance of Rubber Seed Oil Methy Ester Fuelled Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDi) Dual Fuel Engines

Renewable fuels are in biodegradable nature and they tender good energy security and foreign exchange savings. In addition they address environmental concerns and socio-economic issues. The present work presents the experimental investigations carried out on the utilization of such renewable fuel combinations for diesel engine applications. For this a single-cylinder four-stroke water cooled direct injection (DI) compression ignition (CI) engine provided with CMFIS (Conventional Mechanical Fuel Injection System) was rightfully converted to operate with CRDi injection systems enabling high pressure injection of Rubber seed oil methyl ester (RuOME) in the dual fuel mode with induction of varied gas flow rates of hydrogen and hydrogen enriched CNG (HCNG) gas combinations. Experimental investigations showed a considerable improvement in dual fuel engine performance with acceptable brake thermal efficiency and reduced emissions of smoke, hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and slightly increased nitric oxide (NOx) emission levels for increased hydrogen and HCNG flow rates. Further CRDi facilitated dual fuel engine showed improved engine performance compared to CMFIS as the former enabled high pressure (900 bar) injection of the RuOME and closer to TDC (Top Dead Centre) as well. Combustion parameters such as ignition delay, combustion duration, pressure-crank angle and heat release rates were analyzed and compared with baseline data generated. Combustion analysis showed that the rapid rate of burning of hydrogen and HCNG along with air mixtures increased due to presence of hydrogen in total and in partial combination with CNG which further resulted into higher cylinder pressures and energy release rates. However, sustained research that can provide feasible engine technology operating on such fuels in dual fuel operation can pave the way for continued fossil fuel usage.

Psychology Fails to Trump the Multiyear, Structural Development Plan: Albert Hirschman's Largely Frustrated Efforts to Place the “Ability to Make and Carry Out Development Decisions” At the Center of the Development Economics of the Late 1950s and the 1960s

Economists in the 1950s differed on “backwardness” and how best to intervene. World Bank economists favored planning, but one dissenter, Albert Hirschman, held the conviction that the basis for success lay in a desire for change and the will to face down difficulties. In 1959 Hirschman's approach was rejected as more psychology than economics by a leading representative of detailed plans and removing “obstacles” such as short-ages of foreign exchange and domestic savings. Ironically, RAND psychologists had just shown that team training with simulations plus daily debriefings that encouraged team input, improved performance under stress, roughly in line with Hirschman's “psychological attitudes” and willingness to face down difficulties.

Dual fuel engines fueled with three gaseous and biodiesel fuel combinations

ABSTRACTAlternative fuels have numerous advantages over fossil fuels as they are renewable, biodegradable, provide energy security and foreign exchange savings, and help in addressing environmental concerns and socio-economic issues. Renewable fuels such as biodiesel and gaseous fuels can be used for transportation and power generation applications. Honge oil methyl ester (HOME) biodiesel and three gaseous fuels – compressed natural gas (CNG), hydrogen enriched compressed natural gas (HCNG), and producer gas – were used as injected and inducted fuels. This paper presents the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a single-cylinder, four-stroke direct injection stationary diesel engine operated in dual fuel mode on a combination of HOME and the gaseous fuels CNG, HCNG and producer gas. For a diesel engine operated in dual fuel mode with HOME–gaseous fuel combinations, experimental results showed decreased brake thermal efficiency, smoke and nitric oxide emission levels and increased hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emission levels when compared with single fuel mode of operation. Compared to CNG and producer gas dual fuel operation, HCNG operation resulted in overall improved performance (with HOME being the common fuel in all dual fuel modes of operation). Enriched CNG with hydrogen (20%) i.e. HCNG improved the dual fuel engine performance with HOME when compared to CNG operation.

Performance, Emission and Combustion Characteristics of Dual Fuel (DF) Engine Fuelled with Hydrogen Induction and Injection of Honne and Honge Methyl Esters

Renewable fuels like hydrogen and biodiesels can very well suit to diesel engine applications as they address problems of energy scarcity, foreign exchange savings and emission norms. Production of hydrogen and biodiesel to industrial scale with low cost techniques can pave way for their efficient use in engine applications. In view of this, an attempt has been made to operate a modified diesel engine on these high potential renewable fuel combinations. An experimental study was carried out to evaluate the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of diesel engine operated in dual fuel (DF) mode fuelled with esters of honne (EHNO), honge (EHO) oils and hydrogen induction. The study revealed that the brake thermal efficiency increased up to 20% hydrogen energy ratio (HER) and then it decreased. The emissions such as hydrocarbon (HC), Carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke decreased with HER while oxides of nitrogen (NOx) increased. The combustion parameters like peak pressure, ignition delay and heat release rate (HRR) increased with HER.

Effect of hydrogen addition to CNG in a biodiesel-operated dual-fuel engine

Alternative fuels for diesel engine applications are gaining more prominence as they have numerous advantages compared to fossil fuels. They are renewable, biodegradable; provide food and energy security and foreign exchange savings. They address environmental concerns and socio-economic issues as well. Gaseous fuels such as compressed natural gas and hydrogenated compressed natural gas (HCNG) appear more attractive fuels for diesel engine applications operated in dual-fuel mode. Such dual fuel engines can replace considerable amount of liquid-injected pilot fuels by gaseous fuels besides being friendly to the environment. A small quantity of liquid fuel injected towards the end of the compression stroke initiates combustion of the inducted gas in the dual-fuel engines. The main advantage of dual-fuel engines is their lower nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate emissions. Hence renewable fuels such as biodiesels and gaseous fuels can be used predominantly for transportation and power generation applications. Gaseous fuels are clean burning and are more economical as well. A suitable carburettor was designed to supply a stoichiometric mixture of air and HCNG to the modified diesel engine operated in dual-fuel mode. The biodiesel used in this study is derived from Honge oil called the Honge oil methyl ester (HOME). This paper presents the performance, combustion and exhaust emission characteristics of a single cylinder, four stroke, direct injection, stationary diesel engine operated on HOME and HCNG in dual-fuel mode. From the results it is observed that HOME–HCNG combination gave lower brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and improved emission levels when compared with diesel/HOME in single fuel operation. Lower smoke and particulate matter were obtained with dual-fuel operation. Comparative measures of BTE, peak pressure, pressure–crank angle variation, smoke opacity, hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and NOx emissions have been made and analysed.

The Prospects and Challenges of Cassava Inclusion in Wheat Bread Policy in Nigeria

Nigeria is a large country of nearly one million square kilometers. The population of the country is rapidly increasing, reaching 167 million in 2012. Due to urbanization and changes in lifestyle, bread is increasingly being consumed in the country. Wheat performs poorly under Nigerian climate; hence the country spends huge foreign exchange for the importation of wheat. Nigeria spent N 635 billion Naira (US $1 = N 156) on the importation of wheat in 2010 alone. The country is therefore spending nearly N 1.8 billion daily for wheat importation. The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) planned to reduce wheat importation by implementing 40% cassava inclusion in bread policy in July 2012. This paper appraised the benefits and challenges of the 40% cassava inclusion in bread policy. The benefits of the policy include increased domestic agricultural productivity, food security, foreign exchange savings, employment generation, and wealth creation. On the other hand, implementation of the policy could precipitate several challenges including lack of enough domestic capacity to generate the volume of cassava flour needed to actualize the policy, increased smuggling of wheat, poor cassava flour supply chains, weak policy implementation, technology and processing challenges, reluctance of millers to use cassava flour, and cassava bread policy instability. Unless, these challenges are addressed the current attempt of 40% cassava inclusion policy could fail like previous attempts.

Honge oil methyl ester and producer gas-fuelled dual-fuel engine operated with varying compression ratios

Alternative and renewable fuels have numerous advantages compared with fossil fuels as they are renewable and biodegradable, besides providing food and energy security and foreign exchange savings and addressing environmental and socio-economic issues. Therefore, these renewable fuels can be used predominantly in compression ignition (CI) engines for transportation purposes and power generation applications. Today, the use of biomass-derived producer gas is more relevant for addressing rural power generation and is also a promising technique for controlling both NO x and soot emission levels. Although a producer gas–biodiesel-operated dual-fuel diesel engine exhibits lower performance, they are independent from the use of fossil fuels. The lower performance of the engine could be due to the slow-burning and lower calorific value of producer gas. For this purpose, exhaustive experiments on the use of Honge oil methyl ester (HOME)–producer gas in a dual-fuel CI engine were carried out for the improvement of its fuel efficiency. This paper presents the effect of the compression ratio (CR) on the performance, combustion and exhaust emission characteristics of a single-cylinder, four-stroke, direct injection stationary diesel engine operated using HOME and producer gas in a dual-fuel mode. The results indicated that the HOME–producer gas combination exhibited lower brake thermal efficiency (BTE) with comparable emission levels with the diesel–producer gas combination at different CRs. Comparative measures of BTE, peak pressure, pressure–crank angle variation, heat release rate, smoke opacity, and hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO x ) emission levels are presented and analysed.

Fuel efficiency improvement of a dual-fuel engine fuelled with Honge oil methyl ester (HOME)–bioethanol and producer gas

Renewable and alternative fuels have numerous advantages compared with fossil fuels as they are renewable and biodegradable and provide food and energy security and foreign exchange savings besides addressing environmental concerns and socio-economic issues (Yaliwal et al. 2013. International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, doi:10.1080/19397038.2013.801530. Zhu et al. 2011a, Applied Thermal Engineering 31 (14–15): 2271–2278; Zhu et al. 2011b, Fuel 90: 1743-1750; Banapurmath, Tewari, and Hosmath 2008, Renewable Energy 33: 2007-2018; Banapurmath 2009, “Performance, Combustion and Emission Characteristics of a Single Cylinder Direct Injection CI Engine Operated on Dual Fuel Mode Using Honge Oil and Producer Gas.” PhD thesis, 1–195; Banapurmath et al. 2011, Waste and Biomass Valorization 2: 1–11). In this context, the main objective of the present work is to study methods of biofuel production such as Honge oil methyl ester (HOME) using a conventional transesterification process and bioethanol from the Calliandra calothyrsus shrub using a new pretreatment method known as hydrothermal explosion. Further, experimental investigations were carried out on a single-cylinder, four-stroke, direct-injection stationary diesel engine operating in a dual-fuel mode using HOME, bioethanol and producer gas combinations to determine its performance, combustion and emission characteristics. The performance of the dual-fuel engine was analyzed at optimized engine conditions. HOME-Bioethanol (BE) blends such as HOME+ 5% bioethanol (BE5), HOME+ 10% bioethanol (BE10) and HOME+ 15% bioethanol (BE15) were prepared by adding bioethanol to HOME (on volume basis) in different proportions ranging from 5 to 15% with an increment of 5%. In this present work, the effect of different BE blends on the performance of producer gas fuelled dual fuel engine was studied. Experimental investigation on dual fuel engine using BE5-Producer gas operation resulted in up to 4–9% increased brake thermal efficiency with decreased hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and marginally increased nitric oxide (NOx) emission levels compared to HOME-Producer gas, BE10-producer gas and BE15-producer gas mode of operation. However, it was observed that, the overall performance of BE-producer gas operation was found to be lower compared to diesel-producer gas operation.

Performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a single-cylinder, four-stroke, direct injection diesel engine operated on a dual-fuel mode using Honge oil methyl ester and producer gas derived from biomass feedstock of different origin

Renewable and alternative fuels have numerous advantages compared with fossil fuels, as they are renewable and biodegradable, and provide food and energy security and foreign exchange savings besides addressing environmental concerns and socio-economic issues. In this context, present work was carried out to investigate the feasibility of alternative and renewable fuels derived from biomass feedstock of different origin for engine applications. The present study was also extended to study the effect of producer gas composition derived from different biomass feedstock on the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a single-cylinder, four-stroke, direct injection stationary diesel engine operated on a dual-fuel mode using Honge oil methyl ester (HOME) and producer gas induction. The performance of the engine was evaluated with a constant injection timing of 27° before top dead centre, an injection pressure of 205 bar for the diesel–producer gas combination and 230 bar for the HOME–producer gas combination and a compression ratio of 17.5. The results showed that the performance of the dual-fuel engine varies with the composition of the producer gas and depends on the type of biomass feedstock used in the gasifier. Experimental investigations on the dual-fuel engine showed that brake thermal efficiency values for the engine operated using HOME–producer gas derived from babul, neem and honge woods were found to be 17.2, 14.3 and 11.56% respectively, compared to 23.8% for diesel–producer gas operation at 80% load. However, the results showed better engine performance with lower exhaust emission levels for the operation of HOME–producer gas derived from the ordinary or babul wood compared with the operation of that derived from the neem and Honge woods. In view of this, present study reveals that use of alternative and renewable fuels for dual fuel engine can be considered as an immediate solution for the development of rural areas and emergency use in the event of severe diesel fuel shortage.