High Volatile Content Research Articles

Potential of renewable fuel to reduce diesel exhaust particle emissions

The use of fossil fuels in traffic is a significant source of air pollutants and greenhouse gases in rapidly growing and densely populated cities. Diesel exhaust emissions including particle number concentration and size distribution along with the particles’ chemical composition and NOx were investigated from a Euro 4 passenger car with a comprehensive set of high time-resolution instruments. The emissions were compared with three fuel standards – European diesel (EN590), Indian diesel (BS IV) and Finnish renewable diesel (Neste MY) – over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) and the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC). Fuel properties and driving conditions strongly affected exhaust emissions. The exhaust particulate mass emissions for all fuels consisted of BC (81–88%) with some contribution from organics (11–18%) and sulfate (0–3%). As aromatic-free fuel, the MY diesel produced around 20% lower black carbon (BC) emissions compared to the EN590 and 29–40% lower compared to the BS IV. High volatile nanoparticle concentrations at high WLTC speed conditions were observed with the BS IV and EN590 diesel, but not with the sulfur-free MY diesel. These nanoparticles were linked to sulfur-driven nucleation of new particles in cooling dilution of the exhaust. For all the fuels non-volatile nanoparticles in sub-10 nm particle sizes were observed during engine braking, and they were most likely formed from lubricant-oil-originated compounds. With all the fuels, the measured particulate and NOx emissions were significantly higher during the WLTC cycle compared to the NEDC cycle. This study demonstrated that renewable diesel fuels enable mitigations of particulate and climate-warming BC emissions of traffic, and will simultaneously help tackle urban air quality problems.

Fluid Characteristics and Evolution of the Zhawulong Granitic Pegmatite Lithium Deposit in the Ganzi‐Songpan Region, Southwestern China

The Zhawulong granitic pegmatite lithium deposit is located in the Ganzi‐Songpan orogenic belt. Fluid inclusions in spodumene and coexisting quartz were studied to understand the cooling path and evolution of fluid within albite–spodumene pegmatite. There are three distinguishable types of fluid inclusions: crystal‐rich, CO2–NaCl–H2O, and NaCl–H2O. At more than 500°C and 350∼480 MPa, crystal‐rich fluid inclusions were captured during the pegmatitic magma‐hydrothermal transition stage, characterized by a dense hydrous alkali borosilicate fluid with a carbonate component. Between 412°C and 278°C, CO2–NaCl–H2O fluid inclusions developed in spodumene (I) and quartz (II) with a low salinity (3.3–11.9 wt%NaCl equivalent) and a high volatile content, which represent the boundary between the transition stage and the hydrothermal stage. The subsequentNaCl–H2O fluid inclusions from the hydrothermal stage, between 189°C and 302°C, have a low salinity (1.1–13.9 wt%NaCl equivalent). The various types of fluid inclusions reveal the P–T conditions of pegmatite formation, which marks the transition process from magmatic to hydrothermal. The ore‐forming fluids from the Zhawulong deposit have many of the same characteristics as those from the Jiajika lithium deposit. The ore‐forming fluid provided not only materials for crystallization of rare metal minerals, such as spodumene and beryl, but also the ideal conditions for the growth of ore minerals. Therefore, this area has favorable conditions for lithium enrichment and excellent prospecting potential.

Synthesis of impregnated Na+-montmorillonite as an eco-friendly inhibitive carrier and its subsequent protective effect on silane coated mild steel

Utilization of water-based coatings modified with green active agents is a novel protocol to replace high volatile organic content coatings contained toxic and carcinogenic agents such as hexavalent chromium compounds. So, in the present work, a sol-gel silane coating reinforced with green inhibitive nanocarriers was used to protect steel coupons against 3.5 wt.% NaCl electrolyte. The successful impregnation of montmorillonite (MMT) with the aqueous-based Basil extract as a green corrosion inhibitor was proved by different analyses. Also, the time-dependent release of the green inhibitor from the carriers was proved by UV–vis analysis. The electrochemical studies were done to perceive the protective effect of the green corrosion inhibitor loaded MMT (G-MMT) against steel corrosion in neutral saline solution. The Rct value of G-MMT (10 g/l) was 5 times higher than Additive-free sample, showing the considerable inhibitive action of G-MMT. In the second phase, the beneficial role of G-MMT on the protective behavior of silane coating was shown. The results of surface studies confirmed the precipitation of Basil-containing thin film on the mild steel panels which leads to enhanced corrosion protection behavior of steel coupons. Also, the surface chemical characterization results showed that the formation of Fe2+-inhibitor complex on the surficial active regions was the main inhibitive process in the presence of G-MMT.

Gasification of waste biomass for hydrogen production: Effects of pyrolysis parameters

Understanding the behaviour of pyrolysis is crucial in gasification of high volatile content lignocellulosic material. In this study, parameters affecting the properties of volatiles and char that are feedstock for the gasification step were studied to determine and optimize operating conditions in pyrolysis for high quality syngas/hydrogen production. A uniform temperature profile was obtained at particle sizes up to 0.5 cm3. Pyrolysis temperatures in the range 600–900 °C significantly influence the char properties, i.e. increasing surface area and total pore size up to 2.5–3 times when increasing temperature, which in turn enhances the gas-solid reactions occurring in the gasification process. Increasing pyrolysis temperatures, i.e. above 700 °C fully decomposed unstable compounds, i.e. levoglucosan and their derivatives, but promoted the formation of phenolic compounds. Around 41% reduction in surface area and total pore volume of the char was observed when increasing particle size from 0.5 to 2 cm3. At pyrolysis temperatures above 800 °C and particle size of 0.5–1 cm3 with a controlled amount of steam, i.e. 5.7 steam to carbon in biomass (S/C) molar ratio, the H2 content in the gas phase increased to 67 mol% from 49 mol% and the aromatic compounds in the gas stream decreased up to 50.6%.

Intense Floral Scent Emission in Polianthes tuberosa L. (Tuberose) Variants Sprouted from γ-Irradiated Tubers

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) is a tuberous, perennial, night-blooming ornamental plant which is commercially cultivated in different parts of India. In the present study, the tubers of tuberose were subjected to γ-radiation in order to identify variants with altered scent profile. The growth of plants sprouted from both control and irradiated tubers at different doses was monitored and the lethal dose was calculated based on the survival rate of plants. The growth rate significantly decreased in plants sprouted from tubers exposed to a higher dose. Growth pattern of plants sprouted from irradiated tubers and control also correlated with the chlorophyll content. The emitted scent volatiles from flowers developed from both control and irradiated plants were analysed. Floral volatile emission rate was increased in the lowest dose (10 Gy) as compared to control plants. The phenomenon of ‘hormesis’ was observed in the plants since tubers exposed to the lower dose (10 Gy) showed enhanced growth rate, higher volatile content in comparison with control plants. Plants sprouted from tubers exposed to a higher dose of radiation showed lethal effects. In order to study genetic variation among the control and plants sprouted from irradiated tubers, inter simple sequence repeat marker analysis was also carried out and it was observed that out of 74 loci, 67 were polymorphic (90.54%). The genetic similarity coefficient values were also calculated among control and variant lines thus validating morpho-physiological variations.

Beneficial bacterial volatile compounds for the control of root-knot nematode and bacterial leaf blight on rice

Microbial volatiles can promote plant growth and suppress diseases, nematodes and insects. Our knowledge of the effects of microbial volatiles on monocots such as rice and its pathogens and pests is still incomplete. As part of a screening initiative for beneficial bacterial species, we identified three strains (Bacillus sp., Paenibacillus sp. and Xanthomonas sp.) lethal to the rice root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola). Using both in vitro and in planta dual-chamber pot experiments, we found that volatiles from the beneficial bacteria were lethal to M. graminicola J2s and significantly reduced infection of susceptible rice. We conducted similar in vitro and in planta experiments against rice bacterial leaf blight Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Exposure to bacterial volatiles inhibited the growth of X. oryzae pv. oryzae by 50–60% in vitro, but did not impact infection in planta. Finally, we found that bacterial volatiles from Bacillus sp. and Xanthomonas sp. inhibited rice germination and seedling development in vitro but did not affect plant growth in planta. These findings suggest that volatiles from beneficial bacteria have the potential to control M. graminicola, but that high volatile concentrations may inhibit plant growth.

Tunisian tomato waste pyrolysis: thermogravimetry analysis and kinetic study.

This paper aims to set up viable units of thermal processing of numerous agricultural wastes in a sustainable development and eco-friendly approach that could create new economic profitable circuits in an increasingly competitive context. One of the most problematic food wastes are tomato processing by-products; concentrating and canning industrial activities generate important amounts of them, particularly in the Tunisian context. As no reference was found in literature dealing with these last residues, this work intended to explore their potential as biomass fuels. Pyrolysis is then applied in thermogravimetric conditions for different heating rates (5, 10, 20, and 30°C/min) in order to recover energy on one hand and to extract the corresponding kinetic parameters for an accurate design of reactors on the other hand. Main results include suitability of the tomato residues to a thermal valorization thanks to high contents of volatiles and fixed carbon and low ash percentage as well as an interesting heating value comparable to lignocellulosic biomass. Mass loss profiles indicate consecutive and overlapping stages of drying, active pyrolysis, and passive pyrolysis. The experimental profiles of conversion rate were well fitted by the three isoconversional methods; the best fitting is recorded by the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa associated with a first-order model for the intermediate pyrolysis and with a contracted sphere (n = 1/3) for the slowest studied pyrolysis.

Physical and Chemical Properties of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as a Sustainable Biofuel Feedstock

Physical and chemical characterizations of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) plants as an alternative energy source have been conducted. The samples were originated from Sengguruh, Kepanjen, and Selorejo Dams, Ngantang, district of Malang, East Java, Indonesia. The Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) test was performed for the chemical element content analysis of water hyacinth biomass and the proximate test was performed for physical characteristics investigation. The results indicated that chemical elements of water hyacinth are C, O, Na, Mg, Al, Zr, Cl, K, Ca, Si, Ti, and Fe revealing dominant elements, i.e., oxygen and carbon for 49.50% and 14.46%, respectively. The proximate analysis revealed that its moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash content were 4.9, 61.2, 13.8, 20.1 (wt.%), respectively. This biomass has gross calorific value (GCV) that tested with an adiabatic bomb calorimeter of 14.46 MJ/kg. Since the water hyacinth biomass has a relatively high volatile content and a low heating value, it is reasonable that water hyacinth might suitably for co-combustion with coal to increase the coal’s reactivity during the combustion process.

Petrograhpic characteristics of coal from waste dump of abandoned mine Gruve 2 in Longyearbyen, Svalbard

In the paper the petrographic characteristics of coal from waste dump of abandoned mine Gruve 2 in Logyearbyen, Svalbard are described. The coal samples originated from a dump of waste material, situated near the mine entrance. The microscopic petrographic features as well as random reflectance were tested. Basic chemical-technological parameters as moisture Wtar, ash content Adb, volatile matter content Vdaf, total sulphur content Stdb and gross calorific value Qsdaf were assigned. The samples examined belong to medium rank D (ortobituminous coals), macerals of the vitrinite group prevail in the coals’ petrographic composition. The coals analyzed are characterized by low ash and sulphur content but high volatile matter content and mean values of the combustion heat.

THE POTENTIALITY OF THE ENERGY GENERATION FROM SLAUGHTERHOUSE SLUDGE AND WOOD SAWDUST

The use of waste for energy production through processes like pyrolysis, combustion and oil extraction is a sustainable solution to serious environmental problems like centralization of the energy matrix in nonrenewable materials and pollutants and the volume of urban solid waste. In this context, this work aimed to analyze the energy potential of two solid waste biomasses: municipal slaughter sludge and wood sawdust generated in the city of Gurupi –TO. Were evaluated the contents of humidity, volatile content, ash, fixed carbon through the immediate analysis and upper (PCS) and lower (PCI) calorific value were evaluated for all samples collected. In the immediate analysis it was found that the sludge sample had higher ash content than the sawdust and both had high volatile contents. The sawdust presented higher calorific power (4882 cal kg-1) than the sludge (3952.5 cal kg-1), but the process of obtaining energy from the sludge requires less heat. It can also be concluded that both materials present viable alternatives for obtaining energy.

Properties of carbon black produced by the thermal decomposition of methane in the products of premixed flames

The thermal decomposition of methane is a technique used to manufacture hydrogen gas and carbon black. The physical properties of carbon black produced by the thermal decomposition of methane (TDM) in the O2-deficient gas products of two premixed flames (propane- or methane-air) were investigated under different flow rates of decomposing methane injection (0.5–5 SLPM). An inverted burner was designed to provide a fuel-rich, laminar premixed flame, to produce hot gas into which methane was injected to thermally decompose inside a reactor. Particles from TDM were extracted by a nitrogen dilution system at the immediate exit of the reaction chamber, where another branch of the exhaust was dried and directed to a gas chromatograph. The carbon black particles were characterized by size resolved number concentration, mass concentration, effective density, volatility, and internal mixing state using different arrangements of a differential mobility analyzer, catalytic denuder, centrifugal particle mass analyzer, and condensation particle counter, as well as by morphology and primary particle size using transmission electron microscopy. A bimodal number-size distribution was observed at all conditions with count median diameters (CMDs) less than 58 nm and 21 nm when using propane- or methane-air premixed flames as the heat source, respectively. Higher number concentrations and mass concentrations with larger CMDs were achieved under lower flow rates of decomposing methane injection. For a given flow rate of decomposition methane, mass concentration and CMD increased significantly when using propane as the fuel, compared to the methane fuel. The size segregated mass fraction of internally mixed volatile content in particles was similar for both heat sources, showing a roughly constant fraction of volatile material in particles produced by the decomposition of 0.5 and 5 SLPM of methane (10%–30%) but a measurably larger fraction (55%–30%) with a decreasing trend as a function of particle size from the decomposition of 1 SLPM of methane. The effective density of denuded particles was similar, but slightly higher, than the effective density of soot from a wide range of internal combustion engines. A higher denuded effective density was observed in the particles with higher volatile contents (particles from decomposition of 1 SLPM of methane), suggesting the restructuring of carbon black into more compact clusters due to excessive volatile condensation. TEM analysis revealed some similarity between the produced carbon black and engine soot in terms of morphology and primary particle diameter (both below 40 nm). Beside the carbon black properties, the efficiency of TDM in this configuration was also investigated by evaluation of methane destruction efficiency, as well as carbon black and hydrogen production efficiencies, based on the product gas composition and the particle mass concentration. It was found that longer residence times corresponding to lower flow rates resulted in higher conversion efficiencies in terms of methane destruction efficiency (maximum of ∼95%), hydrogen production efficiency (maximum of ∼80%), and carbon black production efficiency (maximum of ∼1%). It was concluded that the significantly low efficiency of carbon black production is due to the high amount of CO formation, likely through the gasification process.

Devolatilization Kinetics of Different Types of Bio-Coals Using Thermogravimetric Analysis

The interest of the steel industry in utilizing bio-coal (pre-treated biomass) as CO2-neutral carbon in iron-making is increasing due to the need to reduce fossil CO2 emission. In order to select a suitable bio-coal to be contained in agglomerates with iron oxide, the current study aims at investigating the thermal devolatilization of different bio-coals. A thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) equipped with a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) was used to monitor the weight loss and off-gases during non-isothermal tests with bio-coals having different contents of volatile matter. The samples were heated in an inert atmosphere to 1200 °C at three different heating rates: 5, 10, and 15 °C/min. H2, CO, and hydrocarbons that may contribute to the reduction of iron oxide if contained in the self-reducing composite were detected by QMS. To explore the devolatilization behavior for different materials, the thermogravimetric data were evaluated by using the Kissinger– Akahira–Sonuse (KAS) iso-conversional model. The activation energy was determined as a function of the conversion degree. Bio-coals with both low and high volatile content could produce reducing gases that can contribute to the reduction of iron oxide in bio-agglomerates and hot metal quality in the sustained blast furnace process. However, bio-coals containing significant amounts of CaO and K2O enhanced the devolatilization and released the volatiles at lower temperature.

Olivine-hosted melt inclusions in Pliocene–Quaternary lavas from the Qorveh–Bijar volcanic belt, western Iran: implications for source lithology and cooling history

ABSTRACT Silicate melt inclusions (SMIs) are small droplets of magma that become trapped in minerals during crystal growth. SMIs in olivine crystals can provide critical information on the range of melt compositions and processes that occur during melt generation, evolution, transport, and eruption. The Pliocene–Quaternary volcanic rocks in the Qorveh–Bijar volcanic belt of western Iran show porphyritic and microlithic textures, with olivine and clinopyroxene being the dominant minerals. Magnesian olivines in these volcanic rocks contain primary SMIs. The composition and characteristic of olivine-hosted SMI of these rocks are investigated to constrain the source lithology for mafic volcanism. Bulk compositions of the SMIs overlap those of their host rocks and extend to higher CaO/Al2O3 values. The estimated entrapment pressures and temperatures of the studied SMIs are 9.1–10.3 kbar and 1220–1355°C. The calculated mafic parental melt contains 42.36 wt.% SiO2, low total alkalis (3.22 wt.%), and high MgO (16.1 wt.%). Exploratory calculations using pMELTS show that this parental composition underwent variable degrees of fractional crystallization, as reflected by the variable compositions of the SMIs. Several lines of evidence including pyroxene xenocrysts and high FeO/MnO, FC3MS (FeO/CaO – 3*MgO/SiO2), and Zn/Fe ratios (14–21), suggest that a metasomatized pyroxenitic source contributed to the genesis of the parental melt. Amphibole in the SMIs indicates a high volatile content in the parental melt, which we conclude was generated from a metasomatized lithospheric mantle source. The pyroxenite source also contained garnet. Our geochemical results lead us to propose a new petrogenetic model. Specifically, we infer that a dense and unstable portion of the lithosphere underwent localized laminar detachment and downward flow, i.e. lithospheric drip. This drip underwent volatile-enhanced partial melting during descent through the underlying hot asthenosphere and generated the studied volcanic rocks.

Ambient Air Pollution Status of Addis Ababa City; The Case of Selected Roadside

The Objective of the present study was to determine the concentration level, spatial and temporal variation of air pollutants (Carbon monoxide, Volatile organic carbon, Nitrogen dioxide, and Sulfur dioxide) from vehicular emission in ambient air of Addis Ababa city. Measurements were taken at sixty five roadsides sites for all the above selected pollutants. The overall (mean ± SD) of Addis Ababa city roadsides Carbon monoxide, Volatile organic carbon, Nitrogen dioxide, and Sulfur dioxide concentration level were 4.82 ± 3.60 ppm, 317.52 ± 221.52 µg/m ³, 0.12 ± 0.16 ppm and 0.23 ± 0.20 ppm respectively. Spatial variation were observed for all the pollutants; the highest Carbon Oxide, Volatile organic carbon, Nitrogen dioxide, and Sulfur dioxide concentration were recorded at SS16, SS34, SS39 and SS6 sites whereas the lowest at SS6, SS36, SS6 and SS19 respectively. At most of the sites high Carbon Oxide and volatile organic carbon concentrations were also observed at early in the morning and late afternoon. The temporal variation of Nitrogen dioxide and Sulfur dioxide were not significant at all sites under the study at p<0.05. The morning and the late afternoon peaks indicate that those pollutants were emitted where vehicular traffic was high. The roadside concentrations of all the pollutants under the study were high and needs continuous monitoring and exploring of mitigation techniques.

Pyrolysis characteristics and kinetic studies of horse manure using thermogravimetric analysis

Horse manure is a biowaste with bioenergy recovery potential for heat and power generation. However, there is no kinetics data in literature to date. In this work, a kinetic study of the pyrolysis process of horse manure is investigated through the use of thermogravimetric analyses. The samples were heated over a range of temperature from 298 to 927 K with four different heating rates of 1, 2, 5 and 10 K/min. The weight loss was measured by a thermogravimetric analyser in an inert atmosphere. The differential thermal gravimetric (DTG) thermogram shows that the highest reaction rate occurred at between 290.2 and 329.6 °C where the devolatilisation process was initiated to overcome the activation energy barrier of the manure. The activation energy and pre-exponential factor obtained by the Kissinger method, assumed to be constant throughout the whole pyrolysis process are 149 kJ/mol and 3.3 × 1012 s−1, respectively. The activation energy calculated from the non-isothermal Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) and Friedman methods are 199.3, 200.2 and 194.6 kJ/mol, whereas the pre-exponential values are 9.3 × 1018, 1.8 × 1019 and 3.6 × 1020 s−1, respectively. The kinetic parameters determined based on interval conversional fraction shows good agreement. The high volatile and low ash content in horse manure indicates the potential for bioenergy recovery. The results of the kinetic study can be used for modelling devolatilisation and designing thermochemical conversion processes.

Towards oxy-steam combustion: The effect of increasing the steam concentration on coal reactivity

Oxy-steam combustion and devolatilization performance of three different coals (anthracite, blend of bituminous coals and low-rank coal) was studied in a thermobalance with a water vapour furnace under variable steam concentrations (0, 20, 40 and 70 vol% H2O) in N2 and CO2. Two oxygen concentrations were used during the combustion tests (20 and 30 vol%). Devolatilization behaviour was similar under N2 and CO2 atmosphere and increasing steam concentration did not affect significantly the observed reactivity and the reaction temperature range. Replacing CO2 with 20 vol% H2O during combustion tests produced a decrease in ignition and burnout temperatures. When H2O content increased to 40 and 70 vol%, this effect was only found with high-rank anthracite. Maximum mass loss rates for the low-rank coal with high volatile content were up to four times higher than with the other two coals. During direct oxidation experiments, DTG curves of anthracite and the coal blend showed a double peak, corresponding to devolatilization and oxidation reactions. This allowed determining independent kinetic parameters (Ea and A) for both stages. An only DTG peak was detected with the low-rank coal since devolatilization and oxidation reactions took place simultaneously owing to its high reactivity. Devolatilization and oxidation kinetics followed a first-order reaction using the Coats-Redfern integral method. Significant differences were not observed between the activation energies of the three coals when comparing conventional (N2), oxy-fuel (CO2) and oxy-steam conditions (70 vol% H2O in CO2), although Ea values were higher for the devolatilization stage than for the oxidation process.

Inactivation of Salmonella during dry co-digestion of food waste and pig manure

Extremely high volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and ammonia concentrations can accumulate during dry co-digestion of organic wastes, which may inactivate pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, inactivation of Salmonella during dry co-digestion of pig manure (PM) and food waste (FW), which are both reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens, was examined. The effects of pH, VFAs, ammonia and their interactions were assessed on three inoculated Salmonella serotypes. The results show that dry co-digestion significantly decreased the Salmonella inactivation time from several months (in wet digestion) to as short as 6–7 days. A modified Weibull distribution was proposed to simulate Salmonella reduction and to calculate or predict the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of VFAs and ammonia. Statistical analysis showed that all the factors (pH, VFA type, VFA/ammonia concentration and Salmonella serotype) significantly impacted Salmonella inactivation (P < 0.01). The inhibitory effect sequence was pH > VFA concentration > VFA type > Salmonella serotype in VFA MIC tests, and ammonia concentration > pH > Salmonella serotype in ammonia MIC tests. The toxicity of VFAs was much greater than that of ammonia, and an antagonistic effect was found between VFAs and ammonia on Salmonella inactivation. Apart from the toxicity of free VFAs and free ammonia, the inhibitory effects of pH alone, ionized VFAs and ammonium were also observed.

Comparative evaluation of quality properties and volatile profiles of lemon peels subjected to different drying techniques

AbstractIn this study, effects of different drying techniques (open‐air drying [AD], hot air drying [HAD], microwave drying [MWD], and freeze‐drying [FD]) on quality properties and volatile compound profiles in lemon peels were examined. For those purpose, water‐holding capacity, water activity, bulk density, color, pH, titratable acidity, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid content, total carotenoid content, and volatile compounds of dried lemon peels were determined. Among the drying methods, the highest retention of phenolics, ascorbic acid, and carotenoids were provided by FD. A total of 56 volatile compounds were identified in dried lemon peel powders. MWD samples contained the largest number of volatiles, whereas HAD samples had the highest volatile content. Principal component analysis on volatiles indicated that there is a convenient relation between the AD, HAD, and FD samples.Practical applicationsDifferent drying techniques play significant roles in the storage of fruits and vegetables. However, the effect of these methods on the quality of various foods is still not clear. This article indicates the effects of open‐air, hot air, microwave, and freeze‐drying methods on certain quality parameters and volatile compounds of lemon peels. The obtained data from the present study will provide valuable information for setting up industrial‐scale dryer systems for products with high volatile content. It will provide contribution to the improvement in food companies on their production conditions.

Characterization of pyrolysis bio-oil derived from intermediate pyrolysis of Aegle marmelos de-oiled cake: study on performance and emission characteristics of C.I. engine fueled with Aegle marmelos pyrolysis oil-blends.

The present research focuses on the analyzing the characteristics of bio-oil derived from intermediate pyrolysis of Aegle marmelos (AM) seed cake and its suitability for C.I. engine adaptation. Owing to the high volatile matter content of 73.69%, Aegle marmelos biomass was selected as the feedstock for this research. The intermediate pyrolysis was carried out at 600°C in a 2-kg fixed bed type pyrolysis reactor at a heating rate of 10°C/min and the obtained bio-oil was characterized by different analytical methods. As per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, physicochemical properties of the bio-oil were tested and it was observed that bio-oil is a highly viscous fluid with low calorific value. Analysis of bio-oil through FT-IR and GC-MS examination confirmed the presence of phenol, esters, alkyl, and oxygenated compounds. The performance and emission testing of direct injection diesel engine were conducted with various bio-oil blends and the results were compared with baseline diesel fuel. The experimental results showed that the addition of bio-oil decreased BTE (%) while increasing the BSEC (MJ/kW-h). At the same time, increasing the bio-oil ratio with diesel decreases dangerous emissions such as carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen emissions in the engine exhaust. According to engine test result, it was suggested that up to 20% of AM bio-oil (F20) can be employed as engine fuel for better engine operating characteristics.

Analysis of spectral properties for coal with different volatile contents by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

In view of the inevitable influence of variable coal quality for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) detection, the effects of changes in volatile content on the properties of the laser-induced plasma and spectral signals were investigated using five coal samples, which cover a wide range of volatiles and their coal chars. Results showed that the intensities of most elements in coal were lower than those in coal chars including the major elements (C, H, O and N) and mineral elements (Si, Al, Ca, etc), along with the vaporization and ablation processes of volatile. Volatiles were easily affected by the thermal mechanism due to the high plasma temperature and more volatiles were vaporized in coal samples with higher volatile content. These increase the ionization of volatiles, resulting in the significant decrease of line intensities of mineral elements (Si, Al, Ca existing in ash). There is no significant relationship between the line intensities of major elements (C, H, O and N) and volatile content. Furthermore, the elemental concentration of sample surface areas was measured to reveal the difference between original sample surface, heat-affected area and internal surface of ablated crater to characterize the influence of laser pulse thermal mechanism. The concentration of C in the internal surface of crater and heat-affected area of coal sample was higher than that in the original surface, due to the evaporation of volatiles and other elements caused by thermal mechanism. On the other hand, the concentrations of most mineral elements of the internal surface were lower than that in the original surface. This may be attributed to thermal mechanism, caused by the different rates of volatilization and atomization processes of elements.