Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mia D. Stankovic, Jessica F. Sperryn, Roxanna S. Delima, Connor C. Rupnow, Michael B. Rooney, Monika Stolar, Curtis P. Berlinguette
Summary: Methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF) can be produced from non-edible biomass as a clean liquid fuel for internal combustion engines. However, the conventional method of electrochemical hydrogenation (ECH) faces challenges in producing MTHF in significant yields. In this study, a membrane reactor is used to successfully produce MTHF through electrochemically-driven hydrogenation of furfural, demonstrating higher selectivity and current densities compared to single-cell ECH. Furthermore, the reaction pathway in the membrane reactor is mapped out, showing a different pathway than in single-cell ECH.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zhaowen Wang, Xiaojie Li, Lin Xiang, Yuhan Huang, Bing Lang, Xiaobei Cheng, Jie Zhang
Summary: This study compares the spray combustion characteristics of neat diesel, neat RP-3 and RP-3/diesel blends under different conditions. The results show that the blending ratio of RP-3 has significant effects on the spray and combustion processes. RP-3/diesel blends exhibit faster evaporation and lower soot emissions than neat diesel and RP-3 alone.
Article
Thermodynamics
Xinzhe Zhang, Na Di, Liuyang Xu, Hongwu Chen, Xingao Shu, Yiyang Wang, Yuyu Lin
Summary: In this study, the ReaxFF molecular dynamics simulation was used to investigate the chemical kinetics of soot formation during the pyrolysis of 2,5-dimethylfuran. It was found that the pyrolysis produced numerous soot precursors, leading to rapid formation of soot. The formation process of 2,5-dimethylfuran soot was divided into four stages: initial ring formation, growth of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, initial soot formation, and growth and graphitization of soot. The presence of aliphatic chains played a crucial role in the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Additionally, higher temperatures were found to accelerate soot formation, consistent with experimental findings.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2023)
Review
Thermodynamics
Seyyed Hassan Hosseini, Athanasios Tsolakis, Avinash Alagumalai, Omid Mahian, Su Shiung Lam, Junting Pan, Wanxi Peng, Meisam Tabatabaei, Mortaza Aghbashlo
Summary: Hydrogen is a promising energy carrier that can be produced from renewable resources. It can be used in diesel engines with little modification and has the potential to improve performance and reduce emissions. However, there are challenges such as knocking combustion and higher nitrogen oxide emissions. This paper comprehensively reviews the effects of hydrogen on dual-fuel diesel engines and discusses opportunities and limitations. Suggestions for improving hydrogen-fueled diesel engines include reformulating pilot fuel, blending hydrogen with other fuels, adjusting engine parameters, and using exhaust gas catalysts.
PROGRESS IN ENERGY AND COMBUSTION SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Xinyi Zhou, Tie Li, Ping Yi
Summary: This study examines the optimization of scaled model experiments for marine diesel engines to reduce costs, energy consumption, and project cycles. The effects of similarity ratio on design target parameters are investigated, with a focus on the relationship between indicated thermal efficiency and maximum in-cylinder pressure with similarity ratio. Different scaling laws are found to be suitable for predicting various design target parameters accurately.
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Homa Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha, Dipesh Kumar, Bhaskar Singh, Hossein Shahbeig, Su Shiung Lam, Mortaza Aghbashlo, Meisam Tabatabaei
Summary: Biodiesel production is a promising strategy to reduce diesel consumption and mitigate climate change, but it suffers from stability issues and higher nitrogen oxides emissions compared to diesel. Antioxidants can effectively improve biodiesel stability and mitigate nitrogen oxides emissions, but their use may have negative effects on human health and the environment. Extracting antioxidants from plants and residues could lead to sustainable production.
FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Jing Fan, Peng Liu, Zhiqiang Gao, Fenhong Song
Summary: The study investigated the thermal conductivity of three furan fuels in the liquid phase under pressure up to 15 MPa, reporting experimental data for the first time. Results showed a combined expanded uncertainty of better than +/- 2.0% at a 0.95 confidence level.
FLUID PHASE EQUILIBRIA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Song Li, Wenbin Yu, Chen Yang, Mingrui Wei, Jinping Liu
Summary: The application of DMF as an alternative fuel for internal combustion engines is gaining popularity. This study proposes a reduced reaction mechanism for n-heptane/toluene/DMF-PAH to predict the combustion and emissions of a diesel engine. The mechanism is validated with experimental measurements and shows reasonable agreement.
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Xuan Phuong Nguyen, Anh Tuan Hoang, Aykut I. Olcer, Dirk Engel, Van Viet Pham, Swarup Kumar Nayak
Summary: This paper evaluates the production process of liquid 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) from lignocellulosic biomass and discusses its combustion mechanism, emission formation, and application in spark and compression ignition engines. The study finds that blending DMF with gasoline or diesel can provide better emissions performance, but further research is needed on its impact on fuel systems and engine durability.
FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wenlong Dong, Jian Gao, Xinzhe Zhang, Dongyang Wang, Huaqiang Chu
Summary: In this research, the formation of soot and the laminar combustion characteristics of 2,5-dimethylfuran (25DMF) were studied. The results revealed the complete process of soot formation during 25DMF combustion and showed that the laminar burning velocities (LBVs) increased with the increase of initial temperature and decreased with the increase of initial pressure.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Andrea Pacino, Corrado La Porta, Antonino La Rocca, Alasdair Cairns
Summary: This study investigated the impact of a helicoidally shaped copper duct on the combustion characteristics and particulate emissions of a 2.2 L Direct Injection High Pressure Common Rail (DI HPCR) diesel engine. The copper duct, powered at 12.5 V by magnetic coils, was installed on the fuel line before the high-pressure pump. The results showed a 28% reduction in soot emissions when the device was connected to the fuel line, primarily due to a copper-mediated oxidizing effect. A comparison study with a Teflon duct revealed that the magnetic field has no significant effect on combustion and emission characteristics if no metal is leached into the fuel.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lijie Zhang, Kaixuan Yang, Rui Zhao, Mingfei Chen, Yaoyao Ying, Dong Liu
Summary: This study investigated the nanostructure and oxidation reactivity of soot generated from the pyrolysis of biofuel 2,5-dimethylfuran at different temperatures and with the addition of different levels of CO2 in a quartz tube flow reactor. The results showed that the soot exhibited varying nanostructures based on the temperature and CO2 additions, with the highest degree of graphitization and crystallization observed in the 10% CO2 addition samples. The oxidation reactivity of the soot samples decreased with the increase in CO2 addition, demonstrating a close relationship between soot nanostructure and oxidation reactivity.
FRONTIERS IN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lijie Zhang, Kaixuan Yang, Rui Zhao, Mingfei Chen, Yaoyao Ying, Dong Liu
Summary: This paper investigates the nanostructure and oxidation reactivity of soot generated from the pyrolysis of biofuel 2,5-dimethylfuran with different CO2 additions and temperatures. The study finds that the increase in temperature leads to changes in the nanostructure of soot, and the effects of different CO2 additions are non-linear. Moreover, there is a close relationship between the nanostructure of soot and its oxidation reactivity.
FRONTIERS IN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Wei Zhang, Chonglin Song, Gang Lv, Fengrong Bi, Yuehan Qiao, Lin Wang, Xuyang Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the properties and oxidation of in-cylinder soot from a diesel engine fueled with n-heptane under simulated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) conditions. It was found that EGR addition enhances the mass-based specific rate of soot oxidation, but reduces flame temperature and concentrations of O-2 and OH, leading to decreased soot surface oxidation rates. Additionally, the characterization of soot properties showed that EGR decreases structural ordering and results in the formation of more oxygenated and aliphatic C-H groups on the soot surface, favoring soot oxidation during combustion processes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMBUSTION INSTITUTE
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Luis Tipanluisa, Kartikkumar Thakkar, Natalia Fonseca, Jose-Maria Lopez
Summary: This study investigates the impact of diesel/n-butanol blends as drop-in fuel in a heavy-duty diesel engine. The results show that increasing n-butanol content in the blend leads to an increase in maximum in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate, but a slight decrease in in-cylinder temperature. Furthermore, the addition of n-butanol reduces particle and CO emissions, but increases THC and NOX emissions.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Katiuska Alexandrino, Angela Millera, Rafael Bilbao, Maria U. Alzueta
FLOW TURBULENCE AND COMBUSTION
(2016)
Article
Thermodynamics
Katiuska Alexandrino, Pablo Salvo, Angela Millera, Rafael Bilbao, Maria U. Alzueta
COMBUSTION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Thermodynamics
Katiuska Alexandrino, Maria U. Alzueta, Henry J. Curran
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
(2018)
Article
Thermodynamics
Katiuska Alexandrino, Cristian Baena, Angela Millera, Rafael Bilbao, Maria U. Alzueta
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
(2018)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Katiuska Alexandrino, Angela Millera, Rafael Bilbao, Maria U. Alzueta
FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Katiuska Alexandrino, Angela Millera, Rafael Bilbao, Maria U. Alzueta
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rasa Zalakeviciute, Yves Rybarczyk, Maria G. Granda-Albuja, Maria Valeria Diaz Suarez, Katiuska Alexandrino
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
K. Alexandrino, R. Zalakeviciute, F. Viteri
Summary: The study found that in a high-traffic area of Quito, Ecuador, the highest concentrations of CO, PM2.5, and NO2 occurred during rush hours in the rainy season, while O3 reached its maximum concentrations during midday in the dry season. The weekend effect and higher PM2.5 concentrations at nighttime compared to daytime were observed, along with higher O3 concentrations during daytime. Vehicle exhaust emissions were identified as the main source of these pollutants, with atmospheric horizontal mixing and O3 transportation playing important roles in concentration levels.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Katiuska Alexandrino, Fausto Viteri, Yves Rybarczyk, Juan Ernesto Guevara Andino, Rasa Zalakeviciute
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2020)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Catherine Armijos, Wilson Tapia, Katiuska Alexandrino
Summary: This study assessed the air quality in urban parks and industrial areas using leaves from Callistemon citrininus and Acacia melanoxylon trees. The results showed variations in metal concentrations in the leaves, with Ca, K, and Mg found in higher amounts. Acacia melanoxylon seemed to perform better as a biomonitor. The contamination factor analysis revealed that Cu, Zn, Fe, and Al were the most contaminating metals in industrial areas, while Cu, Pb, Ba, and Mn were the most contaminating metals in park areas.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Katiuska Alexandrino, Nazly E. Sanchez, Rasa Zalakeviciute, Wilber Acuna, Fausto Viteri
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Araucaria heterophylla needles and different emission sources and road characteristics in the urban areas of Quito, Ecuador. The results indicate that non-traffic related emission sources and road characteristics play an important role in PAH emissions.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Fausto E. Viteri, Nazly E. Sanchez, Katiuska Alexandrino
Summary: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds found in nature and caused by human activities. Tree organs like leaves and barks have been used as indicators for urban air quality, but the potential of many tree species as biomonitors is still unknown. A validated analytical method for quantification of PAHs in Sambucus nigra was developed and showed good performance.
METHODS AND PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tabatha Mancheno, Rasa Zalakeviciute, Mario Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Katiuska Alexandrino
Summary: The reliability of Araucaria heterophylla needles as a biomonitor was assessed by analyzing metal concentrations in PM10 filters and the needles in the city of Quito, Ecuador. The study showed that natural emissions dominated the metal composition in both PM10 filters and needles, while anthropogenic emissions contributed to minor metals. The research not only provided insights into the concentrations of PM10 and metals in Quito, but also advanced the study on using Araucaria heterophylla needles as a biomonitor.
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Rasa Zalakeviciute, Katiuska Alexandrino, Patricia Acosta-Vargas, Jorge-Luis Perez-Medina, Wilmar Hernandez
ADVANCES IN HUMAN FACTORS AND SYSTEMS INTERACTION
(2020)