Fuel Efficiency Research Articles

Closed-Loop Recycling and Remanufacturing of Polymeric Aircraft Parts

The aviation industry is facing the challenge of reducing fossil fuels and emissions. Fuel efficiency is improved by making efficient powerplant systems and lighter aircraft. Modern passenger aircraft utilize polymeric and polymeric composite materials to achieve lighter structures without compromising strength. The European Union already has legislation to prevent landfilling and to increase the use of recyclable materials in the automotive industry. While older-generation aircraft, made mainly from metallic materials, are easily dismantled and recycled into other uses, such a process does not yet exist for aircraft made from composite materials. In the coming years, the industry will have to answer the question of how retired polymeric composite aircraft structures are to be recycled. One solution to increase the life cycle of polymeric and polymeric composite parts would be closed-loop recycling. In this paper, a perspective of the closed-loop recycling of polymeric aircraft parts is discussed. The technical aspects of recyclability and the different business models for the remanufacture of a finger pinch shroud certified for use in Airbus A350-900 passenger aircraft are investigated. The results show that closed-loop recycling is possible for polymeric aircraft parts. Future studies could include studying an LCA between virgin and recycled materials for a certain part.

Analysing the emissions and fuel efficiency of fish-waste biodiesel in a compression ignition engine

Fish oil extracted from wastes of freshwater fish catla (Labeo catla) was used to produce biodiesel. Biodiesel was blended with pure diesel in varying volumetric proportions of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%. A single cylinder constant speed diesel engine was employed for experimentation and effluents like HC, CO, and smoke for FBD-powered CI engine were lesser than that of diesel-powered engine; however, the effluents of NOx were more than that of diesel. Also, the performance characteristics like Brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of FBD mixed fuels are lowered, and specific fuel consumption (SFC) of FBD blends was enhanced with the increase of FBD concentration in diesel. At 2.11 kW Brake Power, the measured BTE %, CO, NOX, HC emissions for Diesel were 19.2%, 0.14%, 340, 38 ppm and the same for FBD40 were 15.5%, 0.7%, 425, 24 ppm respectively.

Intensive carbon combustion in sintering packed bed via steam spraying: An experimental study on carbon monoxide emission reduction.

Improving the combustion efficiency of solid fuels is important for reducing carbon monoxide emissions in the iron ore sintering process. In this paper, the surface steam spraying technology is introduced in the sintering process based on the auxiliary combustion effect of steam on coke, and its potential to reduce carbon monoxide emissions is demonstrated. Thermogravimetric analysis experiments of coke breeze in air and air-steam mixed atmosphere are carried out, and the results show that the introduction of steam can reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide in the exhaust gas from 183×10-6 to 78×10-6. At the same time, the mechanisms of carbon monoxide emission reduction by surface steam spraying technology are analyzed from the thermodynamic and kinetic perspectives. Then, a series of laboratory-scale sintering pot tests are carried out under no spraying operation, interval spraying operation, and continuous spraying operation. The results indicate that both interval and continuous spraying operations can reduce carbon monoxide emissions. The optimal mode of steam spraying under the present experimental conditions is continuously spraying for 13 min at a volume rate of 0.053 m3/min. Compared with no spraying, the average carbon monoxide concentration in the exhaust gas is reduced from 7565×10-6 to 6231×10-6, and total carbon monoxide emissions for per ton sinter are reduced from 13.46 m3/t to 9.51 m3/t.

Infrared thermography method to detect cracking of nuclear fuels in real-time

The efficiency and performance of nuclear fuels are essential to the safety, reliability, and economics of nuclear energy. Crack formation occurs relatively early in the fuel operation cycle and lowers its life and efficiency; accordingly, understanding crack formation and propagation in fuels is key to evaluating and improving fuel performance. The harsh environment inside a nuclear reactor is the primary challenge for real-time fuel monitoring. A coherent fiber optic bundle (CFOB) based infrared thermography (IRT) method may be a viable method for real-time fuel monitoring. A radiation hardened, temperature resistant CFOB can be used to transmit a real-time image from inside the harsh reactor environment to the near infrared (NIR) camera outside the reactor. In this paper, the feasibility of the method was tested and confirmed on oxide nuclear fuel surrogates in a laboratory setting. Two different fuel surrogate materials are showcased with and without the CFOB using furnace heating, laser heating, and reflected illumination from an incandescent bulb. The behavior of common features, such as cracks, mounds and pits, were all compared in detail for the different heating/illumination techniques and samples for temperatures ranging from 23–500°C. The effects of five different image processing techniques were also studied. Cracks down to ≈300nm wide with a field of view of ≈6.4×5.12mm were easily detected with the IRT system with and without the CFOB.

Экспериментальные исследования тепловозного газодизельного двигателя с системой электронного управления топливоподачей

Fuel efficiency and exhaust gases toxicity are the main indicators of the locomotive diesel operation. To increase them, the paper proposes to convert the locomotive diesel to working on natural gas. Expediency of such conversion to operate on the natural gas according to the gas-diesel cycle, where natural gas being the main gaseous fuel is ignited from the dose of petroleum diesel fuel, is demonstrated. This diesel engine operation ensures stable ignition of the air-fuel mixture in a wide range of speed and load conditions. An electronic fuel supply control system for the gas-diesel engine was developed. Experimental studies of the locomotive gas-diesel engine created on the basis of the D50 diesel engine with the electronic fuel supply control system in the diesel characteristic modes were carried out. Substitution of the petroleum diesel fuel with natural gas in these modes was 60.3...94.1 % by weight. For the mode corresponding to the first position of the driver’s controller, opacity of the exhaust gases decreased by 19.6 %, when the diesel engine was switched to the gas-diesel cycle.

Environmental efficiency of the fossil fuels to electricity transition in Eastern Siberia cities

In many regions of the world, the primary source of domestic heating and cooking is still coal or wood, which severely threatens people's health. Low-pipe stove emissions negatively impact about 2.4 million urbanized residents in Eastern Siberia. Through Lagrangian dispersion modelling, this study estimated the effectiveness of coal and firewood to electricity transition in the context of reducing hazardous concentration zones of Benzo [a]pyrene (BaP) and Particulate matter (PM10) in six cities. The calculation experiments showed that a transition of half of the households to electricity could be practically reduced to zero zones of the negative impact of pollutants in the ground layer. The GRAMM/Gral model enabled it to implement pollutant particle tracking and calculate hourly changes in their concentrations at 2 and 10 m. The study results are oriented to support practical solutions to improve the quality of life in cities by reducing the pollution of their atmosphere.

Fuel efficiency and emissions reduction of hydroxy added gasoline fuel using HydroBoost technology

In the present work, using the HydroBoost technology, performance and emission characteristics of HHO added Gasoline is investigated. HydroBoost technology offers longevity to cell and increases the efficiency as it requires less power to break the bonds of water. Achieving good emission characteristics using HydroBoost technology is still unexplored. In the present work, following the EPA protocols, a comprehensive analysis of Total Hydrocarbon (THC), Methane (CH4), NOx, CO2, MPG emissions in four phases is performed. It is shown that harmful gas emissions are reduced in HHO added Gasoline in comparison to only Gasoline fuel. The stoichiometric air-fuel mixture has been achieved in the present work. BSFC (Brake Specific Fuel Consumption) is reduced by up to 11% and the overall emissions of HHO added gasoline are reduced by up to 13% for CO2, up to 72% for Total Hydrocarbons, up to 69% for Methane, up to 48% for NOx in relation to bare Gasoline fuel. The present technology enables Hydroxy gas to be produced on board the IC vehicle without creating an undesirable amount of parasitic loss or hazard, which can be immediately deployed to lower both BSFC and emissions including greenhouse gasses such as CO2.

Optimizing Urban Mobility: Innovative Sloped Road Design for Fuel Efficiency and Safety

In this paper, an urban road design concept is proposed that introduces gentle slopes along straight roads to optimize fuel efficiency between signalized intersections. These calculated inclines leverage gravitational forces, reducing vehicle fuel consumption. At signal crossings, a deliberate reversal of slope mitigates depth accumulation concerns, promoting safe intersection navigation. Smooth transition zones enhance road stability and drain depth adjustments accommodate stormwater management. Collaborative efforts with experts and public awareness initiatives are vital for successful implementation. This innovative concept combines technical precision, safety considerations, and environmental sustainability, offering a holistic approach to urban road design for enhanced efficiency and user experience.

Evaluation of energy efficiency of promising fuels for autotractor reciprocating engines

The prospects for the use and reserves of petroleum fuel resources pose the problem of finding alternative fuel from non-oil sources for automotive and tractor engines. There is a problem of determining the most efficient type and source of production of such fuels. To do this, it is necessary to assess the energy efficiency of the systems for the production and use of fuel from the moment it is in the form of raw materials until it is converted into mechanical work. Such an approach to solving the problem makes it possible to evaluate all types of potential fuels, their main sources, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of their use in automotive and tractor engines in a fuel-engine combination.

Leader-follower Optimal Control Method for Vehicle Platoons to Improve Fuel Efficiency

Leader-follower Optimal Control Method for Vehicle Platoons to Improve Fuel Efficiency

Optimized Fuel Efficiency and Management of Diesel-Powered Thermal Plants for Power Generation Stations in Freetown

Optimized Fuel Efficiency and Management of Diesel-Powered Thermal Plants for Power Generation Stations in Freetown

The Impact of Circulation Tax Incentives for Clean Cars: A Study of Policies to Reduce CO2 Emissions and Increase Fuel Efficiency in Switzerland

The Impact of Circulation Tax Incentives for Clean Cars: A Study of Policies to Reduce CO2 Emissions and Increase Fuel Efficiency in Switzerland

Покращення паливно-економічних характеристик дизельних двигунів шляхом їхнього переведення на газоподібні продукти конверсії метанолу

The work is aimed at solving the problem of conversion of existing diesel power drives of technological transport into gaseous fuels, which are a cheaper alternative to diesel fuel. A method has been proposed to increase the energy efficiency of alternative fuels. The thermochemical essence of increasing the energy of the source fuel has been developed. The choice of alternative alcohol fuel as a starting product for the conversion process, taking into account its cost and energy value. The calculations showed that the thermal effect from the combustion of converted CO and Н2 exceeds the effect from the combustion of the same amount of liquid methanol. Fuel energy and engine power were increased by regenerating the heat of the exhaust gases. Experimental studies of power and economic performance of a diesel engine, which was converted to work on the products of methanol conversion. Experimental studies have shown that the conversion of diesel engines to work using methanol conversion products is justified. Given that the price of methanol is, on average, 10-20% of the cost of diesel fuel, the conversion of diesel engines to work using methanol conversion products is quite profitable. Keywords: diesel engine; рн alternative fuel; methanol conversion; heat utilization; exhaust gases; power; specific fuel consumption.

Utilization of Biopertalite for Fuel Efficiency and Reduction in CO and CO2 Gas Emissions in Four-Wheel Motor Vehicles

Emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) gases are the main problem that must be rectified as they are harmful and contribute to global warming through the greenhouse gas effect. In Indonesia, motor vehicles, especially four wheelers, are one of the biggest contributors with up to 71 million tons of CO2 emissions and energy consumption of 179 million barrel of oil equivalent. Bioethanol has octane rating >100, which is higher than that of gasoline; and emission contribution of only 0.02 kg/L, which is lower than that from gasoline (2.23 kg/L). Accordingly, a mixture of gasoline and bioethanol is the solution proposed in this study to solve the issues of CO and CO2 emissions. Gasoline and bioethanol mixture consists of six products, namely E-0, E-5, E-10, E-15, E-20, and E-25, which have different percentage values of bioethanol mixture (0%–25%). This study was conducted through engine testing with different rpm values (500–2500 rpm) to identify the concentration and mass of CO2 emissions, fuel efficiency, and cost efficiency. Based on the test results, this product succeeded in reducing CO emissions by up to 86% and CO2 emissions up to 30.6% from Pertalite (E-0) and increasing the fuel efficiency up to 51.76% for 1 L and cost efficiency up to 33.6% after considering the actual price of Pertalite. Therefore, the proposed product can be a solution to the existing problems.

DEVELOPMENT OF A METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION AND LOWER HEAT OF COMBUSTION OF BIODIESEL FUEL

The situation that has developed on the market of oil products in the conditions of the war with the invaders has led to a shortage of liquid fuels and a constant increase in the price, in particular of diesel fuel, prompting the producers of agricultural products to think about switching to alternative types of fuel. Research related to the production and use of biodiesel fuel is especially relevant in today's conditions. Scientists do not ignore this question, in particular, Vinnytsia National Agrarian University has devoted more than one research topic to the mentioned problem. In more detail, in the mentioned issue, research is being conducted aimed at determining the energy value of the obtained biofuels, namely, the lower calorific value. The purpose of the article is to create a methodology for determining the fatty acid composition of biodiesel fuel and determining its lower heat of combustion, which is necessary for the analysis and evaluation of the energy efficiency of alternative fuels. Research methods are based on D. I. Mendeleev's formula for determining the lower heat of combustion, which is based on data on the percentage content of the elemental composition of the fuel. The calculation of the elemental composition was carried out on the basis of the molecular weight data of the components of biodiesel fuel, which in turn were obtained by chromatographic analysis using a gas-liquid chromatograph. Similar calculations were made in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. The article publishes the results of research on two samples of biodiesel fuel, made from two types of raw materials - sunflower and rapeseed oil. A method of determining the fatty acid composition of these samples and determining the lower heat of combustion of biodiesel fuel as a whole and its components has been developed. The results given in the tables can be the basis for further conclusions about the energy value of individual components included in the studied fuel.

Developing a Fuel Efficiency Index for Small Sized Marine Vessels

Developing a Fuel Efficiency Index for Small Sized Marine Vessels

Biomass energy conversion in a gasifier for injera baking mitad application

The performance of gasification for Injera baking was explored in this study, as well as the effects of moisture content, and primary and secondary airflow rates. Primary air is used in the reactor of a biomass gasifier, which creates syngas that is burned by secondary air on the mitad's bottom side. An average temperature of averaged 185°C at the center and 170°C away from the center was observed; the size of the cone determines the temperature distribution on the metal surface. The reactor's narrower cone diameter allowed for a greater temperature only in the center and a more variable baked Injera eye appearance. The cone diameter has been reduced to 0.15 m of the mitad diameter to improve the temperature distribution on the mitad surface. The gasifier temperature is 800°C when the air/fuel ratio is 5.8 kg/kg and the moisture content of the wood is 16%. Gasification is improved by heating the primary air and changing the air-fuel ratio. The findings revealed that pre-heated air is more efficient for gasification and saves money on baking and fuel. Fuel efficiency (0.45) and time savings (0.12) were discovered in the new gasifier. Between gasification temperatures of 650 and 800°C, an effective Injera baking temperature (170–185°C) on the mitad surface was attained. Following the tests, the average specific wood fuel consumption (1.414 g/kg), char residue (317 g), and average Injera baking time were calculated. For each test of one baking cycle, this was found at the burning rate capability of both stoves, which is 6 kg/hr. Therefore, the fuel consumption and burning rate of fuel are depending on the amount of airflow rate.

Numerical Investigation on the Effects of the Setting of the Load Control System of a Formula SAE Single-Cylinder Turbocharged Engine on Fuel Efficiency and Performance

The target of motorsport has always been maximising the performance. Increasingly stringent rules on fuel usage, however, have moved the research on engine design and control rules toward efficiency enhancement. Turbocharging is a typical solution to match both targets; however, it suffers from the turbo-lag phenomenon, especially when the maximum power is limited by an air restrictor. In the present paper, an investigation on a combined solution aimed at contemporarily improving transient response and efficiency in FSAE events, both leading to a higher score, is carried out. In detail, the adoption of an anti-lag valve and an efficiency-based control schedule, markedly exploiting the wastegate actuator, is proposed in place of the classic combination blow-off valve and performance-based strategy. The analyses were carried out on the 520 cm3 single-cylinder 4-stroke turbocharged engine of the Firenze Race Team. In order to predict the potential of the proposed load control solution, a predictive combustion engine model (which design process is exhaustively described in the paper), adopting the K-k-ε turbulence model, was developed in the GT-Suite software and calibrated by means of test-bench data and 3-D CFD analyses. A vehicle model, calibrated by means of telemetry data, was finally developed to compare the proposed solution to the baseline load control system in typical race conditions, showing benefits in terms of performance, drivability, and efficiency.

Physical and chemical processes of fuel change during ignition in diesel engine

The combustion of hydrocarbon fuels in the combustion chambers of diesel engines is preceded by processes of both physical and chemical transformations. The nature of the chemical transformations and their effect on the workflow are usually not taken into account. Meanwhile, their role in ensuring the efficiency of the workflow is very large. Chemical transformations in hydrocarbon fuels in combustion chambers cause the appearance of products capable of self-ignition under the influence of temperatures and pressures arising at the end of the compression stroke. The chain of these transformations ends with the formation of soot particles, the burning of which with abundant heat release in the form of radiant energy has a significant effect on the value of the indicator efficiency. The content and ways of influencing chemical transformations in fuel are considered, as well as the use of these transformations in increasing the combustion efficiency of fuels and increasing the indicator efficiency.

Thermal Performance Analysis for a Remodified Diesel Engine to Improve Fuel Efficiency

Heavy trucks, buses, lorries, and other vehicles require over Rs. 4 lakh crores of diesel each year, which is imported at a cost of approximately Rs. 5 lakh crores annually. These cars' engines use water cooling, which keeps the internal engine components below 100°C.For the following reasons, the material temperature is kept below 100°C. The water in the radiator will boil if the cylinder temperature exceeds 100°C. The liquid lubricant burns and becomes sticky over 140°C, which causes the engine to seize. As a result, the need for a liquid lubricant, the need to cool the radiator and engine cylinders, and the loss of 35 to 40% of the heat equivalent of the diesel can all be avoided. In order to accomplish this, a second stainless steel cylinder is added above the existing conventional engine cylinder. A stainless steel piston then glides inside the stainless steel cylinder, maintaining a very small clearance and requiring no lubrication. A stainless steel piston rod guided by bearings connects the stainless steel piston to the traditional engine piston, and the two pistons reciprocate as a single unit. The traditional cylinder and piston are now just utilized to guide the piston assembly and bearings; the firing has been relocated to a stainless steel cylinder. As a result, the engine's heat flow will be reduced, increasing efficiency. As a result, the radiator is turned off because the traditional cylinder isn't burning, saving 35 to 40 percent of the gasoline that would have been lost to heat dissipation through the radiator. As a result, improving the efficiency of all large trucks could save up to 40 to 50% of the diesel used by large trucks, as well as 1.5 to 2 lakh crores of rupees per year, making this research of national significance