Light Diesel Research Articles

An Evaluation of the Land Available for Sustainable Sugarcane Cultivation and Potential for Producing Ethanol and Bioelectricity in Angola

With a predominantly humid tropical climate and a large area for expanding agricultural activities, Angola has in principle favorable conditions for bioenergy production. The focus of this study was to evaluate the availability of suitable land for producing sugarcane. This crop is highly efficient in converting solar energy into biomass for energy purposes in Angola. To this end, this paper outlines a method for data collection, processing, and analysis divided into three sections. The first section uses the GAEZ (Global Agroecological Zones) database and QGIS (Quantum GIS) software (version 3.22.5) to assess land availability for sugarcane cultivation in Angola, classifying the regions’ suitability into four levels. The second section supplements this with data from the FAOSTAT database, systematically excluding areas with restrictions, such as protected zones, land already used for other crops, and regions unsuitable for sugarcane. Finally, the third section employs an agricultural yield model to estimate the potential yield of sugarcane based on climatic parameters and the amount of bioenergy (ethanol and bioelectricity) able to be produced in the available land. Under these criteria, this study identified the existence of 6.3 Mha in lands of good agricultural suitability, with water resources, corresponding to 5% of the Angolan territory, distributed in seven provinces of the country, especially in the provinces of Cuando Cubango and Cunene, where 85% of the very suitable land under irrigation is located. Adopting a model of agricultural productivity, assuming irrigation and adequate agricultural practices, such area could produce approximately 956 million tons of sugarcane annually, which is significantly higher than the current production in this country. This amount of feedstock processed using current technology could potentially produce 81.3 GL of ethanol and 176.9 TWh of electricity with low GHG emissions per year, which is able to mitigate, as a whole, circa 60.3 MtCO2-eq/year by displacing gasoline in light vehicles and diesel and natural gas consumed in power generation.

Extreme Learning Machine Combined With Whale Optimization Algorithm for Spectral Quantitative Analysis of Complex Samples

ABSTRACTExtreme learning machine (ELM) is combined with the discretized whale optimization algorithm (WOA) for spectral quantitative analysis of complex samples. In this method, the spectral variables selected by the discretized WOA were used to build the ELM model. Before establishing the model, the activation function and the number of hidden nodes in ELM as well as the transfer function of the discretized WOA are determined. Furthermore, the predictive performance of the full‐spectrum partial least squares (PLS), ELM, and WOA‐ELM models was compared with four complex sample datasets: blood, light gas oil and diesel fuels, ternary mixture, and corn samples using root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) and correlation coefficient (R). The results show that the WOA‐ELM model has the best prediction accuracy compared to full‐spectrum PLS and ELM models. Therefore, the proposed method provides a novel approach for the quantitative analysis of complex samples.

Parameter optimization for two-stroke direct-injection spark-ignition aviation kerosene engine

The type of two-stroke spark-ignition(SI) engine is still the main power sources of small and medium unmanned aerial vehicles. A transition from gasoline to aviation kerosene or light diesel fuel and from carburetor or port-injection equipment to direct-injection(DI) equipment is prevailing. However, the performance of two-stroke DI-SI engine fueled with aviation kerosene is not very good under medium and high loads. Therefore, using the two-stroke DI-SI kerosene engine modified from port-injection SI gasoline engine as the research subject, the effects of different parameters on engine combustion and performance were studied and parameter optimization was also carried out at high loads. Based on the optimal fuel injection parameters, the influences of ignition time, compression ratio, scavenging/exhaust port area and scavenging/exhaust phase on the operating characteristics of two-stroke engine were analyzed. It was indicated that ignition timing, compression ratio and scavenging/exhaust phase have obvious impacts on engine performance, while the scavenging port area shows little impact on engine performance. An optimization calculation with genetic algorithm was made by determining the optimal values of six parameters such as compression ratio, ignition time, scavenging port area, exhaust port area, scavenging phase and exhaust phase. After optimization, the power(P) of the engine was increased by 7.6 % and the thermal efficiency(η) was enhanced by 3.2 % without knock. The results will lay a foundation for further design and research of two-stroke aviation RP-3 SI-DI engine.

The use of palm oil for light and heavy diesel engines and its environmental benefits for Helsinki

The use of palm oil for light and heavy diesel engines and its environmental benefits for Helsinki

Switching Sudan’s Power Generation Units’ Fuel to Natural Gas Enhances the Efficiency, Durability and Lower the Cost

Sudan ranks among the top 20 Sub-Saharan countries facing electricity shortages, affecting approximately 20 million people as of 2020. Political and economic instability led to an increase in the electricity deficit, reaching over 62% in 2021, an 8% rise from 2019. Thermal power stations in Sudan, which contribute 37% of the electricity supply, encounter operational, maintenance, and fuel procurement challenges. They rely on various fuels, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), light diesel oil (LDO), and heavy fuel oil (HFO), with fuel procurement difficulties amid declining oil production. This study explores the potential of using natural gas instead of the conventional crude oil-based fuels listed above. Natural gas is known for its cost-effectiveness and lower greenhouse gas emissions, offering a cleaner alternative. The study involves the calculation of total gas volumes, flared gas, and operational costs for diesel and natural gas, with an evaluation of their compatibility with the operational requirements of thermal power generation units. The study reveals that upgrading existing thermal stations to a combined cycle system and transitioning to natural gas can reduce costs by 52% compared to diesel operations. The study also demonstrates that the annual gas requirement for operations is approximately 245 billion cubic feet, which is higher than the local production, indicating the need for importing liquified natural gas (LNG).

STUDY ON THE RECOVERY OF THERMAL ENERGY FROM TECHNOLOGICAL FLOWS IN THE COKING PLANT

In this paper, the current heat recovery system from delayed coking in a Romanian refinery is analyzed, the current system is simulated, and an additional heat recovery variant is proposed and simulated. Currently, the raw material is preheated with the following hot streams: light and heavy diesel (LDO and HDO) as final products of the plant and recirculated heavy diesel (RDO). After preheating the raw material, the final temperatures of the hot process streams indicate a thermal energy reserve that can be harnessed. Hot technological flows, after preheating the raw material, pass through air coolers, thus a large part of the thermal energy is lost in the environment. Since the temperature level of the hot technological flows is quite high after the preheating of the raw material - the outlet temperatures LDO is 167°C, HDO is 277°C and RDO is 245°C - the paper proposes two options for recovery of the heat from technological flows that have a reserve of thermal energy, obtaining low-pressure saturated steam. The simulation of raw material preheating systems, the actual and the proposed variant, were made with the PRO/II software.

Analysis Of Isothermal Pyrolysis Process Of Municipal Waste Into Bio-Oil With The Addition Of Natural Catalyst (Zeolite) In Supporting National Energy Security

Conversion technology will continue to evolve. These developments started from the industrial revolution 1.0 to the industrial revolution 4.0, but in these developments even though technology solves a problem, it has the potential to cause new problems such as environmental problems. Environmental problems that can occur starting from energy conversion that is not environmentally friendly as well as the use of several technologies that cause pollutants that are quite dangerous if high intensity can even cause health problems, acid rain and climate change. The pyrolysis process has been proven capable of converting municipal solid waste (SPP) into bio-oil (BO) where most of the BO produced is hydrocarbon fuel with light oil (naphtha) and diesel types. Many studies have been carried out by various groups, but the raw materials used are single SPP components such as plastic, biomass, tire rubber, paper and not the real SPP. Therefore, this research was conducted to see the effect of using variations in zeolite catalyst concentration on the bio-oil produced. Variations in zeolite catalyst concentration are divided into concentrations of 0.25; 0.5; 0.75 and 1. For the pyrolysis test, it was carried out at a temperature of 400 ° C, with a reaction time of 60 minutes. From the results of experiments that have been carried out, the most ideal concentration for producing the most bio-oil products is at a concentration of 0.5. This indicates that the more catalysts are used in the pyrolysis process, the more syngas products will be produced. So the use of catalysts in the pyrolysis process can increase thermal efficiency and the pyrolysis process can be carried out at low temperatures for the production of bio-oil from mixed waste. If following national oil needs and these reserves continue to be exploited, Indonesia will only have oil reserves for the next 7-8 years or until 2028. Another problem is that the use of conventional fuel oil will produce large amounts of CO2 and will make a major contribution to climate change and global warming.

Development of AI-Augmented optimization technique for analysis & prediction of modal mix in road transportation.

Transport sector contribution to global emissions is a known fact, however, the mitigation path to achieve nationally determined goals for carbon reduction is often not specified, A simplified technique based on minimax optimization using Grey relational grade and Random forest narrows down on most contributing input variables from twelve road transport modes. This is a region-specific, scenario-based technique applied to north Punjab, Province of Pakistan that first categorizes modes based on their emission and then integrates with AI modeling using Deep Neural Network to develop sustainable trade-offs for carbon reduction. The output parameter translates the problem into a systematic iterative technique that predicts optimization options with different scenarios to bring out an environment-friendly transport mix. A 25% reduction applied to the five most emission-releasing modes like Diesel Light and Heavy Duty vehicles, Gas Light and heavy-duty vehicles, and Gas-Cars results in 16.54 MT of Carbon dioxide which is 54.35% reduced to the predicted 36.24 MT for the year 2044. Similarly in another scenario replacing 25% Gas and Diesel Light Duty vehicles respectively by adding 50% Petrol Light Duty vehicles leads to 18.94 MT of emissions which brings the emission value in 2044 at par with emission releases of the year 2014. The technique offers a forward path that allows environment-friendly modal mix combinations based on business-as-usual to offer transport mix solutions for carbon reduction. It is a generalized model that is based on a customized transport mix. Future studies can also be applied to intermodal tradeoffs like rail, air, waterways, etc.

Modeling the Selectivity of Hydrotalcite-Based Catalyst in the Propane Dehydrogenation Reaction.

The propylene production processes currently used in the petrochemical industry (fluid catalytic cracking and steam cracking of naphtha and light diesel) are unable to meet the increase of propylene demand for industrial applications. For this reason, alternative processes for propylene production have been investigated, and among the others, the propane dehydrogenation (PDH) process, allowing the production of propylene as a main product, has been industrially implemented (e.g., Catofin and Oleflex processes). The main drawback of such processes is closely linked to the high temperature required to reach a sustainable propane conversion that affects catalyst stability due to coke formation on the catalyst surface. Accordingly, the periodic regeneration of the catalytic bed is required. In this work, the performance in the PDH reaction of different Sn-Pt catalysts, prepared starting by alumina- and hydrotalcite-based supports, is investigated in terms of propane conversion and selectivity to propylene in order to identify a more stable catalyst than the commercial ones. The experimental tests evidenced that the best performance was obtained using the catalyst prepared on commercial pellets of hydrotalcite PURALOX MG70. This catalyst has shown, under pressure conditions of 1 and 5 bar (in order to evaluate the potential future application in integrated membrane reactors), propane conversion values close to the thermodynamic equilibrium ones in all of the investigated temperature ranges (500-600 °C) and the selectivity was always higher than 95%. So, this catalyst was also tested in a stability run, performed at 500 °C and 5 bar: the results highlighted the loss of only 12% in the propane conversion with no changes in the selectivity to propylene. Properly designed experimental tests have also been performed in order to evaluate the kinetic parameters, and the developed mathematical model has been optimized to effectively describe the system behavior and the catalyst deactivation.

Effect of hydrogen and methane in dual fuel mode in light diesel engine by VIS and IR imaging

Energy transition strongly leads researcher to find short-term alternative carbon-free fuels to be used in internal combustion engines. An interesting and transient solution can be the dual fuel (DF) technology. It can offer significant reduction of carbon dioxide and pollutant emissions. In this paper, DF operation was performed in an optically accessed research diesel engine running at a constant speed of 1500 rpm. Substitute fuels (methane or hydrogen) were injected in the intake manifold in front of the entrance of the tumble intake port. The objective was to compare the two DF modes using simultaneously Fast UV–Visible and Fast Infrared (IR) Imaging. We observed that IR camera was able to give deeper combustion information and allowed to grab the whole phenomenon for both DF hydrogen and methane, while identifying the combustion starting points. Also, IR acquisitions for premixed hydrogen evidenced an unpredictably behaviour of the mixture, demonstrating the necessity of a specific Diesel injection strategy to avoid hydrogen auto-ignition at higher engine load. Finally, a comparison of the measured emissions at the exhaust evidenced that in DF mode (both with CH4 and H2) a significant reduction of particulate matter is achieved with respect to conventional diesel operation. In addition, when hydrogen is used as primary fuel, a more efficient combustion is obtained drastically reducing HC and CO2.

Assessment of the Environmental Impact of Pas-senger Road Transport Fleet in Ukraine

Abstract. Problem. Nowadays, the global transport system is still highly dependent on fossil fuels like light oil products, diesel fuel, and gas. This makes it difficult to solve the well-known global problems of the 21st century which are environmental pollution and climate change. In Ukraine, the transport sector remains among the main emitters of greenhouse gases which causes the need to estimate the current situation in fuel consumption and emissions by road transport to get an understanding of the ways to deal with the problem. Because of the high difficulty of this question, it was decided to split it up into two parts which relate to freight and passenger transportation. This paper is aimed to address the latter. Goal. The goal of the paper is to develop an approach to assess the environmental impact of road passenger transport in Ukraine based on corresponding state-of-the-art European methodologies for the estimation of fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Methodology. Provided that there are no open sources with up-to-date information on passenger transport fleet, the regression model based on retrospective state statistical data was used to estimate the number of passenger cars and buses in the country. To calculate their fuel consumption and emissions, the approach based mainly on HDM-4 model was applied. Results. The developed approach allowed determining total fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for the passenger road transport fleet in Ukraine. Originality For the first time, the approximate up-to-date environmental impact of the entire passenger road transport fleet in the transport system of Ukraine was obtained. Practical value. The estimated volumes of total fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are a good basis for developing a national transport policy aimed to improve the ecological parameters and the composition of the passenger road transport fleet.

Multiscale performance of composite modified cold patch asphalt mixture for pothole repair

Cold patch asphalt mixture (CPAM) has become primary material for pothole repair of asphalt pavement due to its advantages of convenient storage, strong seasonal adaptability and timely repair, as well as green maintenance feature. However, insufficient adhesion of CPAM due to the asphalt binder diluted by diesel may lead to secondary distress in a short term. In this paper, composite modified CPAM is developed and its multiscale interfacial morphology and mechanical properties are explored. Three kinds of CPAM with different gradations are designed. Based on indirect tensile test, scanning electron microscope and nanoindentation experiment, the multiscale interface morphology characteristics and mechanical properties are analyzed. The results showed that elastic modulus of CPAM increases with the increase of aged time because of the evaporation of light diesel; with the optimal cold patch asphalt (CPA) content 4.3%, the aggerates are all coated and the mixture is loose; with redundant CPA content 5.0%, too thick asphalt film and agglomerate CPA paste can also be observed; with insufficient CPA content 3.5%, aggregates are not completely coated by CPA. By comparing interface microstructure, with the optimal CPA content 4.3%, redundant CPA content 5.0% and insufficient CPA content 3.5%, smooth morphology, redundant CPA spilling and inadequate asphalt attachment are observed in the interface of CPAM, respectively. In addition, the evaporation of light diesel, age of asphalt polymer and composite additive cause microcracks and micro-holes in the interface between CPA mortar and aggregates.

Catalytic deoxygenation with SO42--Fe2O3/Al2O3 catalyst: Optimization by Taguchi method

This work investigates the optimization of reaction parameters with the Taguchi method for catalytic deoxygenation of waste cooking oil (WCO) as an alternative renewable fuel process. Commercial sulphated-ferric (II) oxide/alumina oxide catalyst has the potential as a deoxygenation catalyst due to its good physicochemical properties which enhance the removal of oxygenated species. The obtained pyrolysis oil analysed by GC-MS revealed the selectivity of the pyrolysis oil mostly in the range of light diesel and kerosene fraction. From an analysis of variance (ANOVA), temperature awarded the most significant impact (86.62%) in this catalytic deoxygenation as compared to three other parameters followed by reaction time > N2 flow > catalyst loading. From the GC-MS analysis, the maximum renewable diesel fraction of 49.66% was obtained at 400 °C, 1 wt% of catalyst, 90 min of reaction time and 20 cm3/min N2 flow. The predicted model by Taguchi in the present study validated by the experimental work shows a promising application in optimising the catalytic pyrolysis process for future use.

Economic Analysis of Thermal–Catalytic Process of Palm Oil (Elaeis guineesensis, Jacq) and Soap Phase Residue from Neutralization Process of Palm Oil (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq)

Palm oil is, from an economic, environmental, and social point of view, a vegetable oil with great potential and the state of Pará-Brazil is Brazil’s great producer. In addition, soap phase residue or palm oil neutralization sludge (PONS), a byproduct of the neutralization step of the chemical refinement of palm oil, is produced, posing a huge problem for waste disposal and management in the production process of refined palm oil (RPO). In this context, this work aims to systematically investigate the economic analysis of the thermal–catalytic process of crude palm oil (CPO) and palm oil neutralization sludge (PONS). The thermocatalytic processes of CPO and PONS carried out at pilot scale and their economic feasibility were analyzed. The yields of biofuels produced by fractional distillation were also presented. The physicochemical properties of CPO and PONS, as well as those of organic liquid products obtained by the thermal–catalytic process of CPO and PONS were taken into account in the economic analysis. In addition, the chemical composition organic liquid products obtained by thermal–catalytic process of CPO and PONS, as well as its distillation fractions (green gasoline, green kerosene, green light diesel and heavy diesel), used as key factors/indicators on the economic analysis. The analysis of the key factors/indicators from the thermocatalytic processes of CPO and PONS showed economic viability for both crude palm oil (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq) and palm oil neutralization sludge. The minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) obtained in this work for the biofuels was 1.59 USD/L using crude palm oil (CPO) and 1.34 USD/L using palm oil neutralization sludge (PONS). The best breakeven point obtained was of 1.24 USD/L considering the PONS. The sensibility analysis demonstrated that the pyrolysis and distillation yields are the most important variables that affect the minimum fuel-selling price (MFSP) in both economic analyses.

Determination of the fraction composition of bio-oil products in a laboratory device

The article analyzes the separation of Bioneft by different methods, and the differences between the physical and chemical properties of petroleum substances. At the beginning of 1960, the capacity of the pyrolysis plant for ethylene was 100-140 thousand tons per year, and by the present time, this indicator is more than 1.0-1.4 million tons per year. The final drying of light diesel fuels is carried out with small-particle sodium sulfuric acid or calcium-chlorine granules and filtered. The temperature of the pyrogas in the reactor at the exit from the reactor is found by the following equation. They are presented as catalytic, initiated, thermal contact, and hydropyrolysis methods.

Failure analysis of CK45 steel crankshaft in light truck diesel engine

Failure analysis was performed on the light truck diesel engine crankshaft made of CK45 steel. Premature failure has been reported in the fillet zones of the main journal-to-crankpin. This study included chemical composition determination, macro and microstructural analysis, mechanical properties evaluation, fractography, and numerical analysis. Fractographic studies using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) identified fatigue as the main mechanism of crankshaft failure. Numerical results showed that the maximum value of stress has occurred in the crack initiation zone. The results of macro measurements showed that the fillet radius was much more than the standard size (r≫0.015dcrankpin). In addition, the hardness results monitored that the main journal surface was slightly reduced to 0.1 mm (550HV difference at 0.1 mm) of induced hardness that a non-uniform distribution of high-slope hardness was observed throughout the cross-section in the main journal. In general, the experimental results showed that the high-slope hardness, the fillet radius more than the standard size, and the presence of stress concentration may be caused the crack to initiate in the fillet zone and thus the cyclic load of combustion pressure has been propagated the crack growth.

Emission characteristics of particulate matter emitted from 4- and 2-stroke marine diesel engines under the background of sulfur emission reduction.

With the implementation of sulfur emission regulations, influences of particulate matter (PM) emitted by marine diesel engines on nearshore atmospheric environment and human health are of increasingly concern. Whatever measures are chosen to meet sulfur emission regulations, the emission characteristic and influencing factors of PM should also be determined. In this study, number and mass emissions, volatility, main composition, and toxicity of PM from marine 4- and 2-stroke diesel engines were investigated. It was found that the size distribution curves of particle number are multiple peaks. Fuels and engines types influence the modal distribution of particles number concentration. For light diesel oil and low-sulfur heavy fuel oil (HFO), particle number was dominated by nucleation and accumulation mode respectively, and particle mass was dominated by accumulation mode. Reduction of fuel sulfur content (FSC) could reduce the particles mass, number and fraction of volatile substance emissions, and small-size particles had the most volatility. Particulate organic carbon (OC) was the main substance, especially for marine 2-stroke diesel engine burning HFO (high- or low-sulfur), while particulate OC contained a large number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and n-alkanes. The PAHs also had very high toxicity when the engine was burning HFO. The use of low-sulfur HFO cannot make the marine diesel engine meet the current and upcoming PM regulations, and after-treatment technologies or cleaning fuel should be needed.

Molecular identification and characterization of indigenous bacterial strains isolated from soils around some oil refineries in Iran

One of the main causes of soil pollution is the release of crude oil into the environment. Indigenous microorganisms with the capability of biodegrading hydrocarbon components can be used to improve the efficiency of microbial bioremediation technology. Here, oil-contaminated soils were collected from five oil refineries (Abadan, Isfahan, Tehran, Tabriz and Shiraz) for screening and isolation of geographically adaptive indigenous oil-degrading bacteria. Bacterial colonies from oil-contaminated soil samples were isolated, which were able to grow in a medium containing crude oil, light, and heavy diesel, as a sole carbon source. Twelve strains were isolated, purified, and identified, using the 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The isolates belonged to five species, including Achromobacter spanius, Klebsiella quasipneumoniae, Ochrobactrum intermedium, Citrobacter amalonaticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These bacterial strains were capable of growing in media containing crude oil, light and heavy diesel for 7 to 9 days and had the potential for biosurfactant production. These bacterial strains can be considered as geographically adaptive bacteria, creating preliminary data for further research to utilize their bioremediation potential.

Optimizing the effect of a mixture of light naphtha, diesel and gasoline fuels on engine performance and emission values on an HCCI engine

In this study, the effects of using naphtha-diesel and naphtha-gasoline fuel mixtures were investigated using experimental and statistical methods on homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine performance and emission values. Response Surface Method (RSM) was used as a statistical method. Fifty-two experiments were specified in the experimental set created by the RSM central composite design method, which were carried out under the same conditions. As a result of the experimental study, effective torque, brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), CO, HC, and NO emissions values were examined. The experimental results extrapolation equations were obtained with the RSM method, and the contour graphs were drawn. Optimum input parameters were determined to obtain the targeted output parameters. After the optimization, it was seen that the usage of gasoline fuel gave better results than diesel. Among the optimum input parameters, the gasoline ratio was determined as 0.297 %, the injection duration was 11.97 ms, and the engine speed was 1325.21 rpm. Effective torque was 12.79 Nm, BSFC value was 589.79 g/kWh, CO emission value was 0.11 %, HC emission value was 519.86 ppm, and NO emission value was 0 ppm depending on the optimum input parameters.

Waste tires pyrolysis oil and its blend with diesel fuel spectral flame analysis, temperature contours, and emissions

The purpose of this research paper is to investigate the energy valorization from the pyrolysis of waste tires using coaxial continuous flame burners. For such an investigation, both the Tire Pyrolysis Oil (TPO) along with its blend (B1) with light diesel oil (LDO) were prepared, physically and chemically characterized, and then combusted in coaxial burners. To distinguish the spectral emission peaks, for the vaporization and combustion zone and the hot recirculation zone of the produced flame, flame spectroscopy techniques were utilized. The mass-specific emission indices and the axial inflame temperatures were used as indicators of the flame radiation intensity in the flame zones. The coaxial flame was inspected for excess air factors of 1.33, 1.04, and 0.9. In the study, a higher radiation intensity of TPO/LDO blend flame was recognized in the B1 flame length which was taller than that of LDO by 48% at λ=1.33. Furthermore, a decrease in CO emissions levels was also noticed in the combustion of waste tire pyrolysis oil and B1 by an average of 4%–12% compared to that from HDO, and the NOx emissions were also reduced by 8.5%–26%. The highest axial inflame temperature of 1,205 °C was recorded for TPO at condition λ=0.9, where the presence of oxygen molecules in fuel helps flame improvements.