Optimization of Flow Parameters for Waste Lubricating Oil Combustion

The global energy demand has continued to skyrocket, exacerbating the already severe energy problem and environmental pollution, prompting researchers to look for alternative energy sources. Exploration of waste lubricating oil (WLO) as an alternative source of fuel has gained prominence among researchers due to its availability at low cost and the potential to generate energy while providing a safer means of disposal. The main challenge with WLO combustion is proper regulation of fuel and oxidizer during combustion to realize a near stoichiometric result. Additionally, WLO has high viscosity, hence preheating of the oil is necessary to lower the viscosity and enhance atomization, for a more efficient combustion process. This paper presents the optimization of flow parameters for combustion of WLO in a burner system by use of response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of air flow rate, injection pressure and fuel flow rate on combustion performance of a WLO burner were investigated. The highest flame temperature recorded was 1200°C at an air flow rate of 1 m3/min, fuel flow rate of 0.08 m3/hr and injection pressure of 20 bar. Tests on physical and chemical properties of WLO were conducted and characterized according to ASTM standard to ascertain its potential as an alternative fuel. The calorific values of WLO from petrol and diesel engines were found to be 41.23 MJ/kg and 42.65 MJ/kg respectively. Therefore, recycling of WLO by utilizing it as a fuel for burners has double benefits of mitigating environmental pollution and harnessing energy for process heating and power generation.

Performance of Water in Glass Evacuated Tube Solar Water Heater under Kenya Climatic Condition

Solar water heaters which provide a cost-effective and environmental friendly approach to hot water generation are in widespread application. Evacuated tube solar water heaters perform better than flat plate solar water heaters as a result of their greater surface area exposed for sunlight absorption. Water-in-glass evacuated tube solar water heaters are widely used as compared to heat-pipe solar water heaters due to their short payback periods. In this study, the performance of water-in-glass evacuated tube solar water heater is investigated through experiments under the climatic conditions in Kenya. The results revealed a daily efficiency range of 0.58 - 0.65 and a daily final outlet temperature greater than 55°C given an initial temperature of 25°C.

Effect of Exhaust Gas Recirculation on Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel-Piloted Biogas Engine

In this research, a Direct Injection Compression Ignition (DICI) engine was modified into a dual-fuel engine that used biogas as the primary fuel and diesel as pilot fuel, with the focus on reduction of harmful exhaust emissions while maintaining high thermal efficiency. The effect of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on engine performance and emission characteristics was studied. The EGR system was developed and tested with different EGR percentages, i.e. 0%, 10%, 20% and 30%. The effect of EGR on exhaust gas temperature and performance parameters like brake specific fuel consumption, brake power and brake thermal efficiency was studied. The performance and emission characteristics of the modified engine were compared with those of the conventional diesel engine. The results showed that EGR led to a decrease in specific fuel consumption and an increase in brake thermal efficiency. With increase in percent (%) of EGR, the percentage increase in brake thermal efficiency was up to 10.3% at quarter load and up to 14.5% at full load for single fuel operation while for dual-fuel operation an increase up to 9.5% at quarter load and up to 11.2% at full load was observed. The results also showed that EGR caused a decrease in exhaust gas temperature;hence it’s potential to reduce NOX emission. However, emissions of HC and CO increased slightly with EGR.

Experimental investigation and optimization of the gasification parameters of macadamia nutshells in a batch-fed bubbling fluidized bed gasifier with air preheating

Gasification of biomass waste has a significant potential to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability by producing syngas,which is considered as renewable energy.This work investigated the gasification of macadamia nutshells in air-preheated,batch-fed fluidized bed gasifier.The study conducted a parametric analysis to assess the effect of equivalence ratio(ER)and air temperature on the gasifier temperature profile and its performance based on gas composition,higher heating value(HHV),and gas yield.The research was conducted within the range of 0.15-0.35 for the ER and 25-825℃ for the air temperature.Multi-objective numerical optimization was conducted using response surface methodology(RSM).From the parametric study,a distinct temperature profile was observed along the gasifier height,with the peak temperature near the top of the fluidized bed section and the lowest temperature at the top of the gasifier.Air preheating mostly favored gasification temperature at the lower part of the gasifier and showed rare significance at the top.No improvement in gasifier performance was observed beyond an air temperature of 620℃,which was identified as the ideal air-preheating temperature.Analysis of variance(ANOVA)revealed that the ER was the most influential parameter in the production of combustible gasses,syngas HHV and gas yield.Air preheating did not have a significant effect on methane production and gas yield.The most optimal values for ER and air temperature were obtained as 0.195℃ and 620℃,respectively,producing optimal values of 9.54,14.65%,2.03,4.02 MJ⋅Nm^(-3),and 1.82 Nm^(3)⋅kg^(-1) for hydrogen,carbon monoxide,methane,HHV,and gas yield,respectively.