Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1964. / Typescript. Includes abstract, computer source code, and vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 328-337).

Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The trends in worldwide fuel consumption and availability were studied, these indicated a bigger growth in gaseous fuel use than that of crude oil over the last decade. The economics (cost of converting and running vehicles on LPG) were studied and compared with those of petrol and diesel fuels. The government's approach to LPG taxation and the structure of the fuel price was also considered in an attempt to foresee what the future holds for LPG use in the motor industry. Gas fuelling systems that are currently available were studied and briefly described. The information obtained from the background study was used to help in the conversion of a two litre petrol engine. The engine was equipped to run on petrol Injection, liquid phase LPG injection and LPG carburettion. In-cylinder pressures, exhaust emissions and fuel consumption were amongst the parameters that were recorded for each fuel. The in-cylinder pressure measurements were used to study the combustion characteristics of petrol and LPG. Computer modeling was also used to investigate the trends that were recorded and this gave valuable insight into the different combustion characteristics of each fuel and the effect of gaseous versus liquid supply. For the passenger bus market a 12 litre 6 cylinder diesel engine was converted to LPG operation only. This required several changes to the pistons, cylinder head, inlet manifold and the addition of an electronic ignition system. Some changes had to be made to the squish characteristics of the pistons to make it suitable for homogeneous fuel air mixtures. The reasons for this were studied and described. Dynamometer tests revealed inadequacies in the ignition system that still need to be addressed before the engine can be built into a bus. Recommendations are made as to best utilize LPG in the South African Automotive industry, so as to improve public transport and air quality in some of our cities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Studie van tendense in wêreldwye energieverbruik en besikbaarheid is gedoen. Dit het aan die lig gebring dat die groei in die gebruik van gasagtige brandstowwe in die laaste dekade die van ru-olie oortref het. Die lewensvatbaarheid van Vloeibare Petroleum Gas (VPG) voertuie, ombouing sowel as lopende koste, is bestudeer en vergelyk met die van Petrol en Diesel voertuie. Die regering se benadering tot belasting op VPG en die struktuur van die brandstofprys is ook ondersoek om te bepaal of die gebruik van VPG in n groter skaal as tans lewenvatbaar is. Vir tegniese agergrond is gas aangedrewe voertuie wêreldwyd bestudeer om te sien watter brandstof-voorsiening stelsels en enjins gebruik word. Die verskillende stelsels word bondig beskryf. Hierdie inligting is onder meer gebruik in die ombouing van n twee liter petrolenjin na VPG. Die enjin is toegerus om op beide petrol en VPG te loop terwyl die VPG in gasfase met behulp van 'n vergasser of as vloestof deur brandstof inspuiting toegedien kon word. Ontbrandingskamerdruk, uitlaatgasse en brandstofverbruik is van die parameters wat tydens toetse gemeet is. Die ontbrandingskamerdukmetings is gebruik om die verbrandingskarakteristieke van elke brandstof te bepaal. Nagebootste verbrandingstempos is in n rekeraarprogram gebruik om verskillende verbrandings karakteristieke wat gemeet is te ondersoek en tendense te bevestig. Vir die swaarvoertuigmark is 'n 12 Liter diesel enjin ombebou na VPG gebruik. Die dieselpomp en inspuiters is vervang met elektroniese vonkontsteking en vonkproppe. Die verbrandingskamer moes verander word om spontane verbranding tydens samepersing te voorkom. Die redes hiervoor is ondersoek en beskryf. Dinamo toetse het tekortkominge uitgewys in die elektroniese vonkontstekingsstelsel wat nog nie ten volle aangespreek is nie. Aanbevelings is gemaak om die toenemende gebruik van VPG as motorvoertuigbrandstof in Suid Afrika aan te bevorder om sodoende beter gebruik te maak van die beskikbare energie uit ru olie en ander bronne. Aanbevelings is ook gemaak ten opsigte van die gebruik van VPG in openbare vervoer en verbetering van lug gehalte in sommige stede.

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Mechanical Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

Nickel aluminate reduced in hydrogen for 3 h at 500ºC was studied for desulfurization of model fuel comprised of dodecane spiked with benzothiophene (300 ppmw S). The nanopowder adsorbent was synthesized using combustion chemical vapor condensation, which created nickel aluminate with a BET specific surface area of 57.8 m2/g and average particle size of 11.7 nm. The nickel aluminate adsorbent removed 23 µmol of sulfur gram at breakthrough (<15 ppmw S). Regeneration by further heat treatment in hydrogen or air recovered 25% and 40% of original capacity, respectively.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references.

Orientador: Ivonete Ávila / Coorientador: Carlos Manuel Romero Luna / Banca: Celso Eduarto Tuna / Banca: Christian Jeremi Coronado Rodriguez / Resumo: Nesta pesquisa investiga-se a viabilidade do uso de misturas heterogêneas de combustíveis compostas por etanol e gás natural veicular (GNV) em motor flex fuel (Flex). Os motores Flex, no Brasil, são abastecidos com gasolina E27 (com até 27% de etanol anidro e 73% de gasolina), etanol, GNV ou qualquer mistura de etanol e gasolina. Ao funcionarem com o GNV apresentam vantagens pela menor emissão de dióxido de carbono (CO2), monóxido de carbono (CO) e óxidos de nitrogênio (NOX), mas são desvantajosos com relação às emissões de hidrocarbonetos (HC) em baixas rotações quando comparados ao utilizarem gasolina ou etanol, além da perda de potência variando de 10 a 20%. Esta pesquisa objetiva encontrar uma mistura de etanol-GNV, cuja combustão possa reduzir, as emissões de CO, HC e NOx do motor Flex em relação ao modo GNV. Os testes foram conduzidos num motor Flex de 2000 cilindradas, com duas válvulas por cilindro. No motor foi instalado um sistema de gerenciamento de injeção eletrônica de GNV funcionando concomitantemente com a injeção de combustível líquido. Fez-se inicialmente a medição da vazão de etanol (E100), do GNV (E0) e de diferentes misturas de etanol-GNV (E20, E40, E60, E80). Para a avaliação dos parâmetros das emissões de CO2, CO, O2, HC e NOx, das eficiências (térmica, volumétrica e mecânica), consumo específico de combustível e custo operacional, calibrou-se primeiramente o motor para o uso de E0 e de E100. Os testes foram realizados em modo estacionário e dinâmico, cu... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This research has investigated the feasibility of using heterogeneous fuel blends composed of ethanol and compressed natural gas (CNG) in flex-fuel engines. In Brazil, such vehicles are fueled by E27 gasoline (up to 27% anhydrous ethanol and 73% gasoline), ethanol, CNG or any ethanol and gasoline blend. When running on CNG, they offer advantages due to lower carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions, although they are disadvantageous with respect to hydrocarbon emissions (HC) at low revolutions, especially if compared to being run on gasoline or ethanol, in addition to power loss ranging from 10 to 20%. Thus, it is aimed to find an ethanol-CNG blend whose combustion can reduce CO, HC and NOx emissions from flex-fuel engines in comparison with the CNG mode. Tests have been conducted on a 2000cc flex-fuel engine with two valves per cylinder. It was installed an electronic CNG injection system operating concomitantly with the liquid fuel injection system. Flows of ethanol (E100), CNG (E0) and different ethanol-CNG blends (E20, E40, E60, E80) were initially measured. In order to evaluate levels of CO2, CO, O2, HC and NOx emissions, efficiency (thermal, volumetric and mechanical), specific fuel consumption and operating cost, the engine was initially calibrated to run on E0 and E100. The emissions tests were performed in stationary and dynamic mode. In stationary mode, exhaust emissions were measured at 1000 and 2500 RPM (revolutions per minute)... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Ivonete Ávila / Coorientador: José Antonio Perrella Balestieri / Banca: José Alexandre Matelli / Banca: Alex Mendonça Bimbato / Banca: Greta Larisa Aurora Arce Ferrufino / Banca: Délson Luiz Módulo / Resumo: A aplicação do etanol como combustível ou como aditivo misturado à gasolina é muito importante para a maioria dos países que procuram reduzir a dependência dos combustíveis fósseis e mitigar os gases de efeito estufa. O uso cada vez maior de misturas de etanol e gasolina torna cada vez mais relevante o conhecimento de suas propriedades físicas e químicas, de forma a favorecer uma melhor compreensão do efeito do teor de etanol na mistura com a gasolina no desempenho do motor. Esta tese tem por objetivo avaliar se existe, ou não, uma relação entre a energia de ativação da mistura de etanol e gasolina, obtida pelas técnicas de análise térmica, e a energia útil obtida em testes de motor. Foram utilizadas diferentes percentagem de etanol na mistura de etanol-gasolina denominadas por E0 (gasolina pura), E5 (5% v/v etanol), E10, E15, E20, E25, E30, E50 e E75. O estudo cinético foi realizado em um sistema simultâneo TG (termogravimetria) e DTA (análise térmica diferencial) com a metodologia para ensaios não isotérmicos para obter a energia de ativação. Alem de utilizar a análise do sinergismo, entre os componentes das misturas, como ferramenta para avaliar o efeito do teor de etanol na mistura com a gasolina. A energia útil dos combustíveis foi obtida nos testes de dinamômetro no motor monocilíndrico padrão de ciclo Otto com seis taxas de compressão diferentes. Na análise dos dados verificou-se que existe sinergismo nas misturas com teor de etanol entre 5% e 30%. Estas misturas tamb... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The use of ethanol as fuel or as an additive blended with gasoline is very important for most countries which aim to reduce the heavy dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate greenhouse gases emission. An increased use of ethanol and gasoline blends has placed great relevance on acquiring knowledge about their physical and chemical properties. Thus, knowledge of such properties favors a better understanding of the effect of the percentage of ethanol/gasoline blends on engine performance. This thesis aims to assess whether there is or not a relationship between the activation energy of the mixture of ethanol and gasoline, obtained by thermal analysis techniques, and the useful energy obtained in engine tests. They used different percentage of ethanol in the ethanol-gasoline blends denoted by E0 (pure gas), E5 (5% v/v ethanol), E10, E15, E20, E25, E30, E50 and E75. A kinetic study has been conducted through a simultaneous TG (thermogravimetry) and DTA (differential thermal analysis) by following the methodology of non-isothermal tests to obtain the activation energies of the tested mixtures. Was used the synergism analyze, between the components of the mixtures, as a tool to evaluate the effect of ethanol content in the gasoline mixture. The useful energy fuel was obtained by dynamometer tests to Otto cycle single cylinder standard engine with six different compression rates. In the data analysis was found that synergism exists in mixtures with ethanol content between 5% to 30%. These mixtures also showed the best power results for compression ratios of 6:1 to 7:1. The thermal analysis results showed that mixtures with low ethanol content (to 30%) exhibit higher volatility and, possibly, this characteristic improves combustion in Otto cycle engines / Doutor

Climate change has become a discussion topic of exponentially increasing urgency and importance amoung world leaders of all disciplines. These changes are brought about by the emission of so-called Greenhouse gases from various human activities. The primary cause of CO2 emissions is the burning of the Earth’s supply of nonrenewable natural fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. The world first agreed on the prevention of “dangerous” climatic changes at the Earth Summit in 1992. The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 was the first step toward protection of the atmosphere and prescribes restrictions on emission pollutants. Since then the vehicle gas emissions are being controlled by means of different gas emissions norms, like the European Union Norm in Europe. The automotive manufacturers and suppliers are collectively working on reducing overall vehicle emissions. They are focusing on several different emission limiting possibilities, for example improved engine design, special fuel development and exhaust gas treatment systems. The exhaust gas treatment process requires continuous controlling and management of the exhaust gas emissions while driving a vehicle. Certain factors such as high emission temperatures have a negative influence on the life span of these systems. Their functionality and durability is also known to be reduced by the presence of chemical poisoning species like sulphur, phosphorus, zinc and calcium. The chemical poisoning species are produced during combustion of fuel and engine oil. They are therefore contained in the exhaust emissions and can poison the catalyst when passing over it. Phosphorous poisoning is particularly problematic and should be reduced considerably. This study involves the investigation of the phosphorous poisoning process and aims to provide clarity regarding the influences of different fuel and oil compositions on the severity of the process. Engine oil and biodiesel are two major sources of phosphorous poisoning. The phosphorus contained in biodiesel fuel is a natural component and can be minimized during the refining procedure. In contrast to others studies, the biodiesel fuel used during this project was SME (Soya Methyl Ester) with a 20% biodiesel content. This choice of fuel was made because of the increasingly important role that this type of biodiesel is playing in the European market and the future tendency to increase the percentage of biodiesel in the mixture with standard diesel fuel. The phosphorus contained in engine oil is a necessary additive to retain the antioxidant and anti-wear properties of the oil. This study examined the poisoning influences from the most commonly used phosphorus containing oil additive, Zinc Dithiophosphates (ZDDP), as well as a Zn-free, phosphorus containing anti-wear oil additive. This formulation provides information about the phosphorus poisoning process as caused by the engine oil in the absence of Zn in the oil additives. The results show how the phosphorus content in biodiesel fuel affects the functionality of the exhaust gas treatment systems and the importance of reducing the permitted content of phosphorus contained in the fuel. Reducing the phosphorus content in the fuel will conserve the functionality of the exhaust gas treatment systems during their operational life and thereby protect the environmental from emission pollutants. It also provides insight into the differences in the poisoning processes when the phosphorus deposited on the catalyst comes from biodiesel fuel and when it comes from the engine oil. Finally the results also illustrate the influence of different phosphorous forms contained in engine oil additives on the catalyst poisoning process. This information could be used for the development of new oil additive formulations.

The passage of the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (HSWA) and the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) amended subtitle I of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA now requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations applicable to all owners and operators of underground storage tanks (USTs) containing petroleum products, and substances listed as hazardous in the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, but not regulated as hazardous waste under RCRA subtitle C. On 17 April 1987, EPA issued proposed regulations for leak detection, leak prevention, financial responsibility and corrective action for USTs containing regulated substances. Concern over potential adverse economic impacts caused by UST regulation has centered on the retail motor fuel market, due primarily to its large size and relatively large number of small businesses. While public and private studies have been conducted concerning the economic impact of UST regulation on the retail motor fuel market, a need for additional research is indicated. This thesis presents the findings to date of a study examining the economic impacts that alternative UST regulatory programs would have on the retail motor fuel market in the United States, with emphasis, where possible, on this market in Virginia. The market is broken into five segments based on similar economic and management characteristics. The segment most likely to contain significant numbers of firms that could be forced out of business due to UST regulation is identified. Proposed minimum federal UST regulations are described and relevant regulatory costs are presented. Three additional UST regulatory programs are developed representing varying degrees of stringency relative to the proposed minimum federal regulations. Case studies of firms located in the vulnerable segment of the retail motor fuel market identified earlier are analyzed in terms of the effect that alternative UST regulations would have on yearly owner remuneration (which is defined to include both the return to the owner as a factor of production and the profit remaining after all returns to land, capital, and labor have been paid). Hypothetical firms with profit levels determined by EPA as average for two segments of the regulated community are analyzed in a similar fashion to reflect the effect of alternative UST regulations on profits. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning

The highway related revenues for the Commonwealth of Virginia from three major tax sources; fuel tax, registration fee, and sales and use tax are estimated under three scenarios. Each scenario assumes different economic conditions for the future. The base case expects normal or moderate situations for future economy, where the optimistic case expects lower inflation rates and the pessimistic case assumes higher inflation rates. Two modeling approaches have been used in forecasting the fuel tax revenue. One is based on travel, and the other is based on gasoline demand. The sales and use tax revenue has also been forecasted using two different approaches. One method depends on the demand for vehicle, and the other on the historical amount of revenues generated. Registration fee revenue for five types of vehicles are forecasted using number of registered vehicles and the average registration fees. A comparison of the developed model with other existing state revenue forecasting models are also presented. / Master of Science