Anderson Miguel Lenz

Comparison of the emissions and performance of ethanol-added diesel–biodiesel blends in a compression ignition engine with those of pure diesel

ABSTRACT In this study, a biodiesel was produced from blending vegetable and animal sources with diesel and diesel-ethanol using a motor-generator set to evaluate its performance and emission characteristics. Fifteen and twenty percent of animal-vegetable biodiesel were added to each diesel-ethanol blend. A motor-generator test was conducted for each mixture; each sample was subjected to resistive loads from 2 to 5 kW with six repetitions. The physicochemical properties met the national standard guidelines, while the best specific fuel consumption (SFC) was observed for the 15% biodiesel-1% ethanol (B15E1) blend at the load of 5 kW with 327.069 g kW−1 h−1, followed by diesel (334.875 g kW−1 h−1). The exhaust gas temperature behaved differently depending on the ethanol concentration; it was lower when the concentration of added ethanol was higher. The NO emissions decreased while the SO2 emissions increased as the ethanol concentration increased. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Green roofs and their contribution for the reduction of room temperature in buildings in Cascavel-State Paraná/green roofs and energy efficiency

The objective of this study was to analyze a green roof by monitoring the variables that can influence it, comparing its effects to those of a conventional roof with clay tiles in Cascavel/State Parana. The following parameters were compared in both prototypes: indoor temperature, outdoor temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation. Temperature measurements were determined by sensors installed in the prototypes whereas the relative humidity was analyzed by wet bulb sensors. Data concerning to 30 days of experiment were collected and tabulated in Microsoft Excel. The green roof remained for 7 days within the relative humidity range considered comfortable whereas the conventional roof remained for 4 days. The green roof caused a mean reduction of 4.96°C, proving that green roofs contribute to reducing indoor room temperature and thermal lag promoted by the green cover, where the heat input takes longer to occur when compared to the conventional roof. Regarding the behavior of the vegetation cover and substrate, the larger the green cover, the lower the substrate temperature transmitted to the indoor environment.

Lead adsorption and subsequent gasification with Pinus elliottii waste

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of Pinus wood waste in lead adsorption as a remediation technique in aqueous medium and its subsequent use in obtaining synthesis gas. Design/methodology/approach The capacity of the timber in the lead adsorption was studied in aqueous medium at various pH, determining the amount adsorbed in equilibrium. Then, the same timber was added in a fixed bed, co-current flow of two stage gasifier type, working temperature of 900°C, for obtaining synthesis gas. The synthesis gas composition was evaluated by the spectrophotometry in the infrared region and the gas chromatography and lead content in the ash and gas was determined by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Findings In laboratory tests carried out, the optimal pH for lead removal was pH 4 with 96.15 percent removal rate, reaching equilibrium after 180 min. In pilot scale the lead removal after 72 hours was 96 percent. The average production of syngas was 11.09 m³h−1. For tests with the motor-generator, the best condition occurred with charge of 2.0 kW, wherein gas consumption per kW produced reached 4.86 m³ kW−1, resulting in a 14.81 percent efficiency rate. The gas analysis showed an average concentration of 14.85 percent H2, 30.1 percent CO2, and 50.49 percent of atmospheric air. The concentration of lead in the gas was below the limit established by law. Pinus elliottii waste proved to be an excellent adsorbent, with removing more than 96 percent of the Pb ion present in aqueous solution and a starting material in the gasifier to generate synthesis gas. Research limitations/implications This paper describes the waste wood application in the treatment of contaminated environments and for obtaining syngas providing a sustainable process. Originality/value This paper shows a process that combines the remediation of contaminated environmental with power generation systems, allowing efficient management of contaminated environments.