Plain Oil Research Articles

Impact of CuO nanoparticles on the viscosity and vibration damping characteristics of shock absorber oil

This study investigates the potential of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles as additives to enhance the viscosity and vibration-damping characteristics of shock absorber oil. Shock absorbers play a critical role in vehicle safety and handling by mitigating vibrations from road irregularities. However, their effectiveness deteriorates over time. To address this, CuO nanoparticles were explored for their ability to improve lubricant performance. Nano-lubricants were prepared by dispersing CuO nanoparticles at varying concentrations of 0.25 wt%, 0.5 wt%, 1 wt%, and 1.5 wt% in a base oil using ultrasonication. The novelty of this research lies in the innovative use of CuO nanoparticles to significantly enhance the viscosity and vibration-damping properties of shock absorber oil. The viscosity of these nano-lubricants increased significantly, with the 1 wt% CuO nano-lubricant achieving a 20% increase at 25 °C compared to the base oil, indicating improved load-carrying capacity and potential friction reduction. Vibration damping performance was evaluated using a dedicated shock absorber test rig. The nano-lubricants exhibited reduced overall vibration acceleration compared to plain oil, with a 15% improvement in damping effectiveness at the optimal CuO concentration. However, the transmissibility ratio, a key damping metric, did not show significant variation, suggesting that traditional shock absorber designs might require modifications to fully leverage the benefits of CuO nanoparticles. These findings demonstrate the potential of CuO nanoparticles to enhance the viscosity and damping characteristics of shock absorber oil, leading to improved performance at lower temperatures.

Indigenous peoples and the power(lessness) of public participation: Assessing effects of Indigenous community input in the Alaskan Coastal Plain oil and gas leasing program environmental impact statement

Public participation in the U.S. environmental impact assessment process is legally required under the National Environmental Policy Act, yet the procedural norms of the process often leave members of the public feeling powerless. While public participation has the appearance of a democratic process, it is imbued with unequal power dynamics and federal agencies maintain decision-making authority. Despite sovereignty and treaty rights, Indigenous communities in the U.S. do not participate in environmental decision-making through a collaborative governance structure. Instead, Indigenous communities interested in project impacts primarily voice their concerns through the public comment process. This paper explores Indigenous participants’ impacts on environmental impact decision-making through an illustrative case study structure. The phenomenon is explored in an in-depth analysis of the recent leasing environmental impact statement (EIS) for oil exploration and development in the 1002 Coastal Plain area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. This work uses a qualitative content analysis of the Coastal Plain case study to assess how public comments, particularly comments from Indigenous peoples, impact change in the documents that follow public participation processes. From this analysis, this article aims to illustrate a few key issues with how Indigenous input is considered in public participation processes. Findings indicate that public comments may result in minor changes to assessment documents but, overall, public input has little influence on project outcomes.

Olive Mill Pomace Extract Loaded Ethylcellulose Microparticles as a Delivery System to Improve Olive Oils Oxidative Stability

The protective effect of olive mill pomace (OMP) loaded ethylcellulose microparticles as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants against the oxidation of olive oils was assessed. OMP extract was obtained by an optimized two-step solid-liquid extraction; encapsulation was performed by double emulsion solvent evaporation technique considering a theoretical loading content in phenolic compounds of 5% (w/w). The changes in the peroxide values, the p-anisidine values, the total oxidation values, the free fatty acids content, the total antioxidant activity, and the total phenolic content were synchronized under storage at 62 °C. The results of oxidative stability were compared with plain oils, oils enriched with synthetic antioxidants, and oils fortified with OMP extract. The encapsulation efficiency of phenolic compounds was 96.0 ± 0.3%. The fortification of olive oils with microparticles retarded the appearance of peroxides, reduced the content of secondary oxidation products, and slowed down hydrolysis processes. The microparticles were efficiently designed to sustain the release of antioxidants to control the oxidative status of oil samples, retarding the free fatty acids formation rather than synthetic antioxidants. The results of this study bring new perspectives regarding the potential use of encapsulated extracts rich in antioxidants as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants to improve oil oxidative stability.

Nanolipogel Loaded with Tea Tree Oil for the Management of Burn: GC-MS Analysis, In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation.

The GC-MS analysis of tea tree oil (TTO) revealed 38 volatile components with sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (43.56%) and alcohols (41.03%) as major detected classes. TTO efficacy is masked by its hydrophobicity; nanoencapsulation can address this drawback. The results showed that TTO-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN1), composed of glyceryl monostearate (2% w/w) and Poloxamer188 (5% w/w), was spherical in shape with a core-shell microstructure. TTO-SLN1 showed a high entrapment efficiency (96.26 ± 2.3%), small particle size (235.0 ± 20.4 nm), low polydispersity index (0.31 ± 0.01), and high negative Zeta potential (−32 mV). Moreover, it exhibited a faster active agent release (almost complete within 4 h) compared to other formulated TTO-SLNs as well as the plain oil. TTO-SLN1 was then incorporated into cellulose nanofibers gel, isolated from sugarcane bagasse, to form the ‘TTO-loaded nanolipogel’ which had a shear-thinning behavior. Second-degree thermal injuries were induced in Wistar rats, then the burned skin areas were treated daily for 7 days with the TTO-loaded nanolipogel compared to the unmedicated nanolipogel, the TTO-loaded conventional gel, and the normal saline (control). The measurement of burn contraction proved that TTO-loaded nanolipogel exhibited a significantly accelerated skin healing, this was confirmed by histopathological examination as well as quantitative assessment of inflammatory infiltrate. This study highlighted the success of the proposed nanotechnology approach in improving the efficacy of TTO used for the repair of skin damage induced by burns.

Neonatal Piglet Interaction with Environmental Enrichment Ropes

The objective of this study was to determine if neonatal piglets would interact with environmental enrichment ropes, drawing them away from the sow. A total of 84 piglets from 9 sows were housed in farrowing stalls. Litters were provided with environmental enrichment ropes hung at piglet eye level above a heat mat on Day 2 to Day 5 after farrowing. Litters were assigned to one of three rope treatments: 1) sunflower oil (OIL), 2) semiochemical (SC) and 3) milky cheese (MC). Overall, 75% (63/84) of the piglets interacted with the ropes. Piglets preferred the plain OIL treatment compared to both the MC and SC treatments, as indicated by a greater total percent of pigs interacting with the OIL ropes. Overall, this study determined that piglets did interact with enrichment ropes, which drew them away from the sow. At this early stage of life, a piglet’s main motivators are sow-directed, so an environmental enrichment tool that draws piglets away from the sow is a significant finding.

Herbal Immunomodulator in View of Omicron Virus - A Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global medical crisis of unprecedented proportions. The death rate and infected people is rising on a daily basis all over the world. This situation is so much worse because of the potential for disasterous situations with variety of social and economic factors. Effective infection monitoring is still being developed, and efforts are being made to integrate traditional interventions with standard of care. With special reference to respiratory health, the Ministry of Aayush recommends the self-care guidelines for preventive health measures and boosting immunity. Ayurvedic literature and scientific publications back up these claims. There is a lot of research on natural substances that can affect immune function in addition to plant compounds. There are some examples suggest by Ministry of Aayush such as Gargle with a pinch of turmeric and salt in warm water. Gargling can also be done with water boiled with Triphala (dried fruits of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, and Terminalia bellerica) or Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Once or twice a day, apply medicated oil (Anu taila or Shadbindu Taila), plain oil (Sesame or Coconut), or nasal application of cow's ghee (Goghrita), especially before going out and after returning home. Antimicrobials, or "immune-boosters," are a class of plants that work directly on bacteria or viruses while also boosting the immune system's overall performance. Volatile oils are common, yet active pharmacological substances are numerous and complex. Herbs such as: Allium sativum (Garlic), Baptisia tinctoria (Wild Indigo), Echinacea sp. (Echinacea), Thuja occidentalis (Thuja), Usnea sp. (Old Man’s Beard).

Implanting MnO2 into Hexagonal Boron Nitride as Nanoadditives for Enhancing Tribological Performance

Hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (h-BNNs) show great potential in the field of tribology due to their typical two-dimensional layered structure and are essential for replacing conventional sulfur/phosphate-containing additives. However, the large particle size and poor dispersion of h-BNs seriously restrict their green lubrication application. In this paper, MnO2@h-BNNs nanocomposites were successfully prepared by ultrasonically exfoliating a hydrothermal method. The tribological properties of MnO2@h-BNNs nanocomposites as lubricant additives in poly-alpha-olefin oil (PAO) were investigated. The results show the oil dispersed with 0.25 wt% MnO2@h-BNNs had the best friction reduction and antiwear effect with 42% and 11.2% reduction, respectively, compared with the plain oil. Through further wear surface analyzing, we verified the antiwear mechanism of additives in filling the micropits and grooves on the wear surface and forming a friction protection film including Fe2O3, MnO2, and BN on the wear surface, avoiding direct contact between the friction subsets. This can provide ideas for other lubricating oil additives.

Ferrocene addition for suppression of hydrogen sulfide formation during thermal recovery of oil sand bitumen

The occurrence of H2S during thermal recovery production becomes one of the biggest challenges. While various industrial processes can remove H2S at the surface, to prevent the formation of H2S in reservoir is much less successful. Ferrocene was chosen as the likely target reagent after a review of iron compound volatility and environmental considerations. To evaluate this, closed system gold tube pyrolysis experiments were conducted on an Athabasca oil sand at 350–650 °C to examine gas compositions with and without ferrocene addition. Slightly higher hydrocarbon gas yields have been observed from samples with ferrocene addition likely caused by ferrocene decomposition. Yields of carbon dioxide (CO2) are higher in plain oil sand samples before 550 °C but the trend was reversed afterwards with more CO2 being generated from ferrocene addition ones. H2S yields in samples without ferrocene increase from background value at 350 °C to the highest amount at 450 °C then disappear above 625 °C. Thermal decomposition of organosulfur compounds is supposed to be the main route for the occurrence of H2S in the sulfur-rich bitumen pyrolysis. Ferrocene is proved to be powerful H2S removal reagent as no H2S can be detected from ferrocene addition samples. The reactions of ferrocene with H2S may form iron sulfides, cyclopentadiene and hydrogen. Complete, rapid, and predictable reactions and inert reaction products make ferrocene as an ideal in situ H2S scavenger, while the potential for the deposition of metal sulfides may reduce the permeability. Ferrocene is widely available for industry, however, the unit cost has not been assessed in this study.

Lepidium sativum seed oil 3D nano-oleogel for the management of diabetic wounds: GC/MS analysis, in-vitro and in-vivo studies

In this study, Lepidium sativum oil was used as the oily component of the prepared 3D nano-oleogels (NO) as well as the active ingredient. Different gelators were tested; all the formulae containing Labrafac™ Lipophile WL1349 had a jellified consistency at room temperature. NO1, consisted of Labrafac-Lipophile WL1349:Tween 80 (4:1), retained its consistency at all tested temperatures, showed a nanometric particle size (202.0 ± 27) and had a release enhancement ratio equal to 1.97 relative to the plain oil (p < 0.05). Rheological study depicted a shear thinning pseudoplastic behavior. Biological study evaluated the wound healing effect of the selected nano-oleogel (NO1) in diabetic rats by measuring the wound contraction and determining some inflammatory and angiogenic biomarkers. Compared to the positive control group, NO1 application (once daily for 5 consecutive days) showed a significant reduction of wound diameter, a significant decline of TNF-α and MMP9 level in skin homogenate, in addition to a significant elevation of VEGF level; which prove that NO1 enhanced the healing process, re-epithelialization and angiogenesis. Histopathological studies confirmed these results ensuring an almost complete tissue healing and indicating the suitability of the proposed nano-oleogel for application in regenerative medicine.

Time trend (2008-2016) of food consumption based on the degree of food processing in United Kingdom

Abstract Background Ultra-processed foods have been rapidly displacing traditional dietary patterns based on unprocessed and minimally processed foods. We assessed the time trend of food consumption based on the degree and purpose of food processing in United Kingdom from 2008 to 2016. Methods Cross-sectional data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey were analysed. Food items collected using a 4-day food diary were classified according to the NOVA system. Linear regression models were used to estimate linear trend of food consumption across years, adjusted for sex, social class occupation, age and region. Results From the 2008 to 2016, the dietary contribution of processed culinary ingredients increased from 4.1% to 4.8% (p for trend&amp;lt;0.001), while the contribution of processed foods decreased from 9.5% to 8.4% (p for trend=0.001), respectively. The contribution of unprocessed or minimally processed foods (from 30.4% in 2008 to 30.2% in 2016; p for trend=0.462) and ultra-processed foods (from 56.0% to 56.6%, respectively; p for trend=0.194) across survey years has not appreciably changed. Regarding the subgroups, butter and plain oil (Processed culinary ingredients) increased over time, while beer, food preserved and bread (processed food) decreased. Among ultra-processed foods, pre-prepared meals, biscuits and industrial desserts increased, while reconstituted meat and margarine decreased. Among unprocessed or minimally processed foods, poultry, cereals, eggs and legumes increased, while roots, red meat and fresh fruit juice decreased. Conclusions We observed substantial changes in the consumption of processed food and processed culinary ingredients over time. The consumption of ultra-processed food remained unchanged over time, and still account for more than half of total calorie intake in UK. Despite this, substantial changes in some subgroups including ultra-processed, were observed for the four NOVA groups. Funding CAPES and FAPESP 2016/14302-7. Key messages The consumption of ultra-processed food remained unchanged over time, and still account for more than half of total calorie intake in UK. Actions to mitigate high consumption ultra-processed foods are necessary given that these foods have been strongly associated with obesity and diet-related chronic diseases.

Development and characterization of ω-3 fatty acid nanoemulsions with improved physicochemical stability and bioaccessibility

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are the polyunsaturated fatty acids which can determine early growth and development. Despite their supplementation benefits, the stability and bioavailability are major concerns in their fortification. In the present study, ω-3 fatty acid nanoemulsions using sunflower as the carrier oil were developed using spontaneous, low energy method and their bioaccessibility was assessed. Encapsulation of ω-3 fatty acids using sunflower oil produced stable nanoemulsions with Tween 85 and isopropanol as the surfactant mixture. Droplet size was within the range of 100−200 nm, with ζ-potential above -30 mV, and polydispersity index less than 0.3 upon storage for 28 days. ω-3 fatty acid content of the nanoemulsions decreased by ∼15% upon storage for 4 weeks at either 4 or 25 °C, but suffered ∼50% loss at 40 °C within 2 weeks. Bioaccessibility of ω-3 fatty acids from the prepared nanoemulsions was ∼53% as compared to 34% of release from plain oils blended with ω-3 fatty acids. This study is the first of its kind that fabricated an efficient nanovehicle using a low energy method with cooking oil as a carrier for the delivery of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. The formulated nanoemulsions can be used for supportive therapies and food based approaches to improve ω-3 fatty acid nutrition.

Layout optimization of oil-gas gathering and transportation system in constrained three-dimensional space

<p indent=0mm>The layout optimization of oil-gas gathering and transportation system is to minimize the total construction investment of oil-gas pipeline network by using optimization theory. In the process of optimization, it is necessary to collaboratively determine the optimal location and quantity of stations, the connection relationship among the various stations, the path and specification of pipelines. The layout optimization of oil-gas gathering and transportation system is essentially a kind of constrained three-dimensional network topology optimization problem, which belongs to the NP-hard problems in combinatorial optimization. It is of practical significance to solve such problems for reducing the investment of oilfield construction, equivalently enhancing oil recovery and promoting the development of applied optimization theory. However, the existing layout optimization theories and methods of oil-gas gathering and transportation system are mainly for plain oil and gas fields, which could not be applied to the oil and gas fields with undulating terrain. On the basis of accurately characterizing the three-dimensional terrain, it is urgent to establish the optimization model with comprehensive factors and propose the efficient solution methods. In order to deal with the difficulties of seeking the optimal layout of oil-gas pipeline network in spatial scale, such as the huge amount of terrain data, the large number of decision variables and the complex constraints, a series of studies have been carried out. Firstly, from the perspective of generality and comprehensiveness, considering the constraints of random terrain, the layout feasibility of stations, and the gathering and transportation processes, a mathematical model for the layout optimization of oil-gas gathering and transportation systems in the constrained three-dimensional space is established. Secondly, based on digital elevation model (DEM) and weighted digraph in graph theory, the breadth first search algorithm is applied innovatively. Based on the idea of simultaneous search in two opposite directions and the optimality of breadth-first search, the two-way breadth first search algorithm for pipeline path is proposed, and its efficiency is analyzed theoretically. Finally, according to the proposed pipeline path optimization algorithm, the hybrid particle swarm-fireworks optimization (PS-FW) algorithm with global search ability is effectively integrated. By comprehensively applying the PS-FW algorithm and the two-way breadth-first pipeline path search algorithm, the spatial layout of the oil-gas gathering pipeline network and the pipeline path are respectively solved, and the hybrid intelligent optimization method is proposed. According to the convergence theorem of the stochastic optimization algorithm, the global convergence of the hybrid intelligent optimization method is proved. The results show that, compared with the existing theoretical methods, the optimization model established in this paper has more comprehensive consideration and better generality. The proposed two-way breadth-first pipeline path optimization algorithm can save at least 7/9 of the time and space complexity, and improve the solution efficiency significantly. The performance of the hybrid intelligent optimization method is very well, and it can converge to the global optimal solution with probability 1. The optimization model and solution methods proposed in this paper are not only effective for the layout optimization of three-dimensional oil-gas gathering and transportation system, but also have reference value for the multi-level location planning, shortest path, and high-dimensional optimization problems.

Microvalve using electrokinetic motion of electrically induced Janus droplet

A novel microvalve using the electrokinetic motion of electrically induced Janus droplet (EIJD) is presented in this paper. The device is fabricated by injecting an EIJD with the diameter of approximately 80 μm into a microchamber connecting several microchannel branches. The EIJD is developed from an oil droplet covered by Al2O3-nanoparticles under electric field. The microvalve is controllable by electric field. Under an electric field, the Janus droplet undergoes electrokinetic motion in the microchamber, moves to one branch channel and blocks its entrance. By switching the electric field direction, the Janus droplet detaches from this entrance and moves to block another branch channel. In this way, the flow direction in the microvalve changes. In this research, the electrokinetic motion of the EIJD in a circular microchamber under the switching electric field was studied first. The result indicates that the Janus droplet always rotates to get aligned with the electric field. Then, the performance of the microvalve was investigated systematically. The results confirm the capability of such a microvalve in sealing, switching time and flow rate control. Furthermore, by comparing with the case of using a plain oil droplet in such a microvalve, it is proven that the EIJD is essential in realization of a non-leakage microvalve. The EIJD-based microvalve shown in this paper offers great potential in fabricating integrated microfluidic devices.

Analysis of tribological properties of lubricating gear oil with nano silica particles

Purpose: Lubricants prepared with metal oxide nanoparticle additives are found to havebetter tribological properties. In this work the widely used commercial SN lubricating oil isadded with SiO2 nanoparticle and the tribological characteristics are studied. Wear testswere conducted on plain oil and oil with nanosized silica (SiO2) additives using a four balltribo-tester.Design/methodology/approach: The wear images of the ball specimens were analyzedusing confocal microscope to measure the topography of the wear parameters such as wearscar diameter, depth of wear, angle of the wear.Findings: It is found that the gear oil with silica nanoparticles is found to have improvedproperties. Results show a considerable reduction in the values of wear scar diameter, wearangle and wear depth for the gear oil added with SiO2 nanoparticles of 0.4 wt. %.Originality/value: In the work carried out, a new innovative technological approach toanalyze the tribological properties of lubricating oil by finding the wear scar diameter, wearangle and wear depth is reported.

Influence of the Oil Phase and Topical Formulation on the Wound Healing Ability of a Birch Bark Dry Extract.

Triterpenes from the outer bark of birch are known for various pharmacological effects including enhanced wound healing (WH). A birch bark dry extract (TE) obtained by accelerated solvent extraction showed the ability to form oleogels when it is suspended in oils. Consistency of the oleogels and the dissolved amount of triterpenes varies largely with the used oil. Here we wanted to know to what extent different oils and formulations (oleogel versus o/w emulsion) influence WH. Looking at the plain oils, medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) enhanced WH (ca. 1.4-fold), while e.g. castor oil (ca.0.3-fold) or light liquid paraffin (LLP; ca. 0.5-fold) significantly decreased WH. Concerning the respective oleogels, TE-MCT showed no improvement although the solubility of the TE was high. In contrast, the oleogel of sunflower oil which alone showed a slight tendency to impair WH, enhanced WH significantly (ca. 1.6-fold). These results can be explained by release experiments where the release rate of betulin, the main component of TE, from MCT oleogels was significantly lower than from sunflower oil oleogels. LLP impaired WH as plain oil and even though it released betulin comparable to sunflower oil it still results in an overall negative effect of the oleogel on WH. As a further formulation option also surfactant free o/w emulsions were prepared using MCT, sunflower oil and LLP as a nonpolar oil phase. Depending on the preparation method (suspension or oleogel method) the distribution of the TE varied markedly and affected also release kinetics. However, the released betulin was clearly below the values measured with the respective oleogels. Consequently, none of the emulsions showed a significantly positive effect on WH. In conclusion, our data show that the oil used as a vehicle influences wound healing not only by affecting the release of the extract, but also by having its own vehicle effect on wound healing. This is also of importance for other applications where drugs have to be applied in non-polar vehicles because these solvents likely influence the outcome of the experiment substantially.

Towards minimizing wear by improving antiwear additives and surface characteristics using reduced phosphorus plain ZDDP oil under boundary lubrication

Purpose – This study aims to examine the effect of the antiwear resistance of plain zinc-dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) oil in the presence of Titanium-fluoride/iron-fluoride/polytetrafluoroethylene (TiF3/FeF3/PTFE) in the time to tribofilm breakdown and extent of wear under extreme boundary lubrication using a contact load of 317 Newton and a rotational speed of 700 rpm to simulate the cold start of a car engine. The mechanism of tribofilm formation and breakdown was followed carefully by monitoring the friction coefficient for different surface roughnesses over the duration of several reproducible tests that were performed in a ball on cylinder tribometer. Design/methodology/approach – The heating time of the cylinder dipped in the specified lubricant blend then set for one minute before testing and the break in period of 2 minutes to cool the contacting metal to metal surfaces during tribological testing played important roles in minimizing friction and wear, and are directly proportional to the durability and time for breakdown of the tribofilm. This article addresses the improvement of water drop contact angles for different surfaces during heat treatment and the tribological enhancement of antiwear additives when optimum concentration of fluorinated catalysts and PTFE is used in connection with reduced surface roughness and break in period. Findings – Design of Experiment software, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and nanoindentation were used in this study to evaluate the antiwear resistance films when using 0.05 per cent phosphorus ZDDP plain oil with 0.5 weight per cent TiF3 + 0.5 weight per cent FeF3 + 2 weight per cent PTFE and when applying 2 minutes break in time to cool down the contacting bodies when temperature rises. Results indicated that the coated film on the thermally treated surfaces that is reflected as white patches on the SEM images is a function of the antiwear additives contribution; it is also shown to have positive influence on the friction and wear performances during tribological testing. Originality/value – This research involved the study of lubricant and surface interactions with antiwear additives under boundary lubrication and extreme pressure loading. Several researchers studied these effects and submitted articles to the journal. This is the first time that a break in period was used with surface conditions to simulate car stops in heavy traffic conditions.

Characterizing Antioxidant Potential of Alcoholic Extracts of Rice Husk and Saw Dust for Oxidative Stability of Base Lubricating Oil Using Physico-chemical Properties

The thermo-oxidative stability of the mineral base oil (MBO) was examined by subjecting it to artificial aging process performed at different temperatures (25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 °C) and times (00–24 h in cycles of 06 h). The MBO samples additized with the antioxidants under study were then oxidized under the optimized temperatures and time. The antioxidants were used in concentration range of 1–3 % (w/w). The extent of the degradation was estimated from the changes in the physico-chemical properties i.e. kinematic viscosity determined at 40 and 100 °C, viscosity index, viscosity ratio, Conradson carbon residue, total acid number and iodine number in comparison with the un-oxidized plain oil. The results inferred that the antioxidants used in concentration of 3 % proved to be effective in avoiding the thermo-oxidative degradation of the MBO.

Effect of Mixing Ingredient on Compressive Strength of Oil Palm Shell Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Containing Palm Oil Fuel Ash

The increasingly generated oil palm shell (OPS) and palm oil fuel ash (POFA) which is a by-product of Malaysian palm oil mills annually, has lead towards the effort of integrating palm oil fuel ash as mineral admixture in lightweight aggregate concrete which produced using 100% oil palm shell as lightweight aggregate. This paper addresses the compressive strength of this oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete upon usage of different ash replacement level, water cement ratio, superplasticiser, sand and cement content. At the early state of investigation, cubes of (100x100x100mm) containing various replacement level of ash were produced and tested for it compressive strength. Then, the 20% replacement levels of POFA which give the highest compressive strength value were used for further experimental work. Experimental work to investigate the effect of water content, percentage of superplasticiser, sand content and amount of cement used were conducted using two types of mixes. Plain oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete (0% POFA) as reference specimen, and oil palm shell lightweight aggregate containing 20% palm oil fuel ash (20% POFA) were prepared in form of cubes. All the specimens were subjected to water curing until the testing date. The compressive strength test was conducted following the procedures in BSEN 12390 – 3 at 28 days. Integration of 20% POFA in oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete leads to production of a greener lightweight aggregate concrete product with optimum strength. Inclusion too much of water should be avoided as it diminishes the concrete compressive strength. Only right formulation of palm oil fuel ash, water, superplasticizer, sand and cement content would be able to produce oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete containing palm oil fuel ash exhibiting optimum strength.

Study of TiO2 Nanoparticles as Lubricant Additive in Two-Axial Groove Journal Bearing

Load carrying capacity of an oil lubricated two-axial groove journal bearing is simulated by taking into account the viscosity variations in lubricant due to the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles as lubricant additive. Shear viscosities of TiO2 nanoparticle dispersions in oil are measured for various nanoparticle additive concentrations. The viscosity model derived from the experimental viscosities is employed in a modified Reynolds equation to obtain the pressure profiles and load carrying capacity of two-axial groove journal bearing. Results reveal an increase in load carrying capacity of bearings operating on nanoparticle dispersions as compared to plain oil.

Static characteristics of a fluid film bearing with TiO2 based nanolubricant using the modified Krieger–Dougherty viscosity model and couple stress model

Static characteristics of a journal bearing operating on TiO2 based nanolubricant is obtained by a variable viscosity approach. The predicted shear viscosities of TiO2 based nanolubricant at different volume fractions and aggregate particle sizes are obtained using modified Krieger–Dougherty model and are found to be in good agreement with experimental shear viscosities. The modified Reynolds equation considers the Krieger–Dougherty viscosities and couple stress effects of TiO2 nanoparticle additives at different volume fractions and particle sizes. Results reveal a significant improvement in load carrying capacity of journal bearing operating on TiO2 based nanolubricant as compared to plain oil without TiO2 nanoparticles.