Fuel Research Articles

An Ethnobotanical Study of the Kodavas and other Tribes of Kodagu District, Karnataka

The Kodavas are the original inhabitants of Kodagu at present a district of Karnataka State - located in the Western Ghats. Although Kodavas cannot be classified as tribals under the present conditions, they form a minor ethnic group that has apparently been living amidst the forests of this region over the last few thousand years. Their knowledge of the local plants is extensive, and some of it is recorded here, with a listing of 240 species. These include some 105 medicinal plants, 65 food plants, about 60 timber-yielding plants; some 40 species used in different ways in agriculture and animal husbandry; some 80 species having agricultural and domestic uses, including fibre and fuel plants, those used in cleaning and toiletry, etc; there is some overlapping of usages. Although many of the palnts are well-known, some of the usages are not widely known. Some of the plants merit further investigation and development.

Effects of combustion products composition models on the exergetic analysis of spark-ignition engine fuelled with ethanol

Effects of combustion products composition models on the exergetic analysis of spark-ignition engine fuelled with ethanol

Getting to grips with energy: fuel, materiality and daily life

Getting to grips with energy: fuel, materiality and daily life

Can We Stop Reflexively Discontinuing Mineralocorticoid Antagonists for Patients With Heart Failure and Hyperkalemia?

The importance of promptly introducing low doses of multiple classes of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) in patients with symptomatic heart failure is underscored in the recent heart failure guidelines. 1 Heidenreich PA Bozkurt B Aguilar D et al. 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guideline for the management of heart failure. J Card Fail. 2022; 28: e1-e167https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cardfail.2022.02.010 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (8) Google Scholar Concerns purported to foster the underuse of GDMT include inadequate patient and laboratory follow-up, patient nonadherence, medication-related expenses, polypharmacy, and the perceived risk of hyperkalemia (Fig. 1). 2 Greene SJ Butler J Albert NM et al. Medical therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018; 72: 351-366https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2018.04.070 Crossref PubMed Scopus (412) Google Scholar Such trepidations commonly lead to avoidance or premature discontinuation of mineralocorticoid antagonists (MRAs). Observational data show that a single episode of hyperkalemia is cited as justification for cessation of MRAs in approximately 30% of patients; severe hyperkalemia (K+ ≥ 6 mmol/L) occurs in only one-quarter of those patients, but is commonly labeled as medication intolerance. 3 Trevisan M Fu EL Xu Y et al. Stopping mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists after hyperkalaemia: trial emulation in data from routine care. Eur J Heart Fail. 2021; 23: 1698-1707https://doi.org/10.1002/ejhf.2287 Crossref PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar MRA discontinuation decreases the incidence of recurrent hyperkalemia but confers a 10%–30% increased downstream risk of mortality and cardiovascular events. 3 Trevisan M Fu EL Xu Y et al. Stopping mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists after hyperkalaemia: trial emulation in data from routine care. Eur J Heart Fail. 2021; 23: 1698-1707https://doi.org/10.1002/ejhf.2287 Crossref PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar ,4 Siddiqi Tariq J Usman Muhammad S Abid M et al. Is stopping mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists after hyperkalemia associated with increased mortality in heart failure? A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022; 79: 406https://doi.org/10.1016/S0735-1097(22)01397-3 Crossref Google Scholar Thus, patients are frequently deprived of life-saving therapies owing to hyperkalemia concerns. In this article, we present evidence supporting MRA continuation in the setting of mild hyperkalemia, suggest mitigation strategies and interventions for moderate to severe hyperkalemia, and expand on new and future options that may help attenuate the overall risk of hyperkalemia and its complications.

Brennstoffbetriebene und enzymregulierte redoxresponsive supramolekulare Hydrogele

AbstractIn Hydrogele eingebrachte chemische Reaktionsnetzwerke können responsive Materialien zu komplexen, selbstregulierenden Materialien transformieren, die eine Rückkopplung auf externe Stimuli generieren können. Diese Arbeit präsentiert Hydrogele aus dem Wirt‐Gast‐Paar β‐Cyclodextrin und Ferrocen als supramolekulare Vernetzer. Ein redoxresponsives Verhalten des Systems wird induziert durch die Treibstoff‐Enzym‐Paare Meerrettich‐Peroxidase/H2O2 und Glucose‐Oxidase (GOx)/d‐Glucose. Das Hydrogel kann durch Variation der Konzentration des Reduktionstreibstoffs d‐Glucose von einem responsiven zu einem selbstregulierenden supramolekularen System umgewandelt werden. Gestartet wird das selbstregulierende Verhalten durch die Bildung eines Oxidationsmittels innerhalb des Gels durch das Cofaktor‐Intermediat GOx[FADH2]. UV/Vis‐Spektroskopie, Rheologie und kinetische Modellierung wurden angewendet, um dieses Nichtgleichgewichtsverhalten und die Programmierbarkeit der Rückkopplung des Hydrogels, unter anderem die Anpassung des Speichermoduls und die mögliche Anwendung als Glucose‐Sensor, zu beleuchten.

Synthesis and Performance of Strained Multicyclic Hydrocarbons as Highly Potential High-Energy-Density Fuels

Synthesis and Performance of Strained Multicyclic Hydrocarbons as Highly Potential High-Energy-Density Fuels

Impact of a discretization scheme on an autoignition time in LES of a reacting droplet-laden mixing layer

We analyse an autoignition process in a two-phase flow in a temporally evolving mixing layer formed between streams of a cold liquid fuel (heptane at 300 K) and a hot oxidizer (air at 1000 K) flowing in opposite directions. We focus on the influence of a discretization method on the prediction of the autoignition time and evolution of the flame in its early development phase. We use a high-order code based on the 6th order compact difference method for the Navier–Stokes and continuity equations combined with the 2nd order Total Variation Diminishing (TVD) and 5th order Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (WENO) schemes applied for the discretization of the advection terms in the scalar transport equations. The obtained results show that the autoignition time is more dependent on the discretization method than on the flow initial conditions, i.e., the Reynolds number and the initial turbulence intensity. In terms of mean values, the autoignition occurs approximately 15% earlier when the TVD scheme is used. In this case, the ignition phase characterizes a sharp peak in the temporal evolution of the maximum temperature. The observed differences are attributed to a more dissipative character of the TVD scheme. Its usage leads to a higher mean level of the fuel in the gaseous form and a smoother distribution of species resulting in a lower level of the scalar dissipation rate, which facilitates the autoignition process.

Polyvinylidene Difluoride-co-Polyethylene Glycol Membrane for Biohydrogen Purification from Palm Oil Mill Effluent Fermentation

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment through fermentation under controlled conditions generates biogas with an equal volume of biohydrogen (H2 ) and carbon dioxide (CO2 ). The H2 can be utilised for generating renewable energy through a hydrogen fuel cell. However, the existence of CO2 at certain concentration might cause cell poisoning. Therefore, gas upgrading is required. Membrane technology has been identified as one of the best methods for gas upgrading owing to its excellent purification performance. In this study, polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane was synthesized at various polymer concentrations of 13-18 wt% through the phase inversion method before being coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). From the results, the surface negativity and contact angle of the synthesised PVDF membranes were increased at higher PVDF concentration, therefore leading to increase in PVDF membrane’s hydrophobicity. As there was an increase in the membrane’s hydrophobicity, the membrane’s selectivity towards H2 increased as well, with the most H2 purity noted at 85%, which was attained by PVDF18 membrane. On adding PEG on the membrane surface, hydrophobicity rose from 81° (pure PVDF) to 100.8° (PVDF-co-PEG10). Moreover, PEG coating on the surface of PVDF membranes has enhanced their selectivity with the highest value of selectivity of up to 3.3. The PVDF-co-PEG10 membrane also has the highest H2 gas purity of up to 96% in comparison to pure PVDF membrane (only 85% H2 purity). This finding proved that PVDF-co-PEG10 membrane possessed a higher preference in the H2 /CO2 separation compared to pure PVDF membrane.

Scaleable Hydrotreating of HTL Biocrude to Produce Fuel Blendstocks

Scaleable Hydrotreating of HTL Biocrude to Produce Fuel Blendstocks

US crackers may be fueled by Hydrogen in the future

US crackers may be fueled by Hydrogen in the future

Evaluation of Structural Robustness of External Fuel Tank and Pylon for Military Aircraft under Random Vibration

Evaluation of Structural Robustness of External Fuel Tank and Pylon for Military Aircraft under Random Vibration

Boosting Inertial-Confinement-Fusion Yield with Magnetized Fuel

Boosting Inertial-Confinement-Fusion Yield with Magnetized Fuel

Improved Prediction of Transmix Processes Occurring at the Interface between Batches of Fuels Consecutively Transported in Collapsible Pipelines

Improved Prediction of Transmix Processes Occurring at the Interface between Batches of Fuels Consecutively Transported in Collapsible Pipelines

Publisher's Note: “Fuel convergence sensitivity in indirect drive implosions” [Phys. Plasmas 28, 042705 (2021)

Publisher's Note: “Fuel convergence sensitivity in indirect drive implosions” [Phys. Plasmas <b>28</b>, 042705 (2021)

탄화수소 항공유의 흡열반응 성능향상을 위한 촉매 분해 및 수증기 개질 기술분석

탄화수소 항공유의 흡열반응 성능향상을 위한 촉매 분해 및 수증기 개질 기술분석

Composition and balance of the analytical fractionation of desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca L.) seeds harvested in Senegal

The desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca L.) can be one of the most common trees in Senegal. Thus, the objective is to carry out an analytical fractionation of these seeds to consider prospects for valuing the different constituents and a diagram of fractionation processes. The physical characterization of the seeds made it possible to know the fruit-seed and kernel-hull proportions. The chemical composition of the seeds shows that three main fractions represent 90% of its dry matter: The fibrous (68%), the lipid (14%) and the proteins (nearly 9%). The kernel is made up of 34.50% (80% of the lipid) and 28.75% of proteins (or 93% of the protein) while the hull is essentially fibrous, 90% contains 85% of the fibers. The high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids oleic and linoleic (73%) associated with those of saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic) in high proportions (27%) and the high contents of sterols (2.11 g/kg), and in tocopherols (512.40 mg/kg), make desert date oil an excellent food oil. On the other hand, it has qualities that make it suitable for use in various non-food applications. Proteins are made up of three main amino acids: glutamic acid (20.35%), arginine (14.42%) and aspartic acid (11.29%). The amino acid composition is close to that of oil seeds whose cakes are widely used in animal or even human food. Given their essentially lignocellulosic composition, the hulls obtained from shelling can be used as fuel or be extruded and used for the manufacture of composite agro-materials. Key words: Desert date, Balanites aegyptiaca, seeds, analytical fractionation, proteins, lipids.

Effect of feeding rate and threshing cylinder speed on the performance of tractor operated paddy thresher

The experiment was conducted on tractor operated paddy thresher at Lohar Khera and Sanga in Fatehabad (Haryana). The main purpose of this research work was to estimate the operational cost and performance evaluation for spike tooth type paddy thresher. In this study, the paddy thresher was tested at different cylinder speeds (12, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 m/sec) and feeding rates (0.38, 0.45, 0.49, 0.56, 0.62, 0.68 and 0.74 kg/sec). The variation in speed was achieved by using stepped pulley system. The operational cost of paddy thresher was estimated by the straight-line method of depreciation. The operational cost and fuel consumption of tractor operated paddy thresher was found to be about 380 Rs/hr and 2.75 litre/hr, respectively. The maximum threshing efficiency and cleaning efficiency were obtained as 98.80 % and 99.10 % at feed rate of 0.56 kg/sec and 0.38 kg/sec, respectively. The total minimum loss was obtained as 1.12 % and 2.80 % at feeding rate of 0.38 kg/sec and 25 m/sec cylinder speed, respectively. From this study, it was concluded that the threshing efficiency of the thresher increases with cylinder speed up to 25m/sec and then decreases. The cleaning efficiency increases continuously with threshing cylinder speed. It may be as such, because at higher speeds, the blower delivers more volume of air which helps to clean the output of the thresher.

Evaluation of factors fuelling global antimicrobial resistance and its economic and clinical burden

The aim of the research is to assess the factors fuelling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and its economic and clinical burden. For this purpose, a systematic review was conducted, which included an analysis of factors and economic and clinical burden of AMR. It was found that poorly treated sewage; discharges from antibiotic manufacturing plants, empirical prescribing, lack of antimicrobial stewardship, poor AMR monitoring; hospital-acquired infections and human-to-human contacts with environmental pathogens through food; and increase in global trade and travel are the factors behind the spread of AMR. Further, based on previous research, the study found a significant economic and clinical burden caused by AMR infections. It is recommended that well-organised antimicrobial stewardship be in place, AMR monitoring, limit access to antibiotics via over the counter dispensing without prescriptions, mandatory sensitivity tests for antimicrobial prescription be considered, proper hygiene in hospitals and medicine manufacturing sites must be ensured to reduce global AMR. Key words: Antimicrobial Resistance, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antibiotic resistance, economic burden, clinical burden.

Carbon-neutral petrol? Catalysing the future of fuels

Carbon-neutral petrol? Catalysing the future of fuels

A fuel cell that captures carbon

A fuel cell that captures carbon