Donghyeon Kang

Testing of Agricultural Tractor Engine using Animal-fats Biodiesel as Fuel

Purpose: Performances of a tractor diesel engine fueled by three different animal fats biodiesels were evaluated comparing with light oil tractor in terms of power, fuel consumption rate, exhaust gases, particulate matter amount and field work capacity. Methods: Animal fats based on pig biodiesel were manufactured manually and tested for its engine performance in the tractor diesel engine and fuel adoptability in the field works. Four different fuels, three different content of biodiesel (BD20, BD50, BD100) and light oil, were prepared and tested in the four strokes diesel engine. Power output, fuel consumption rate and exhaust gases of the four fuels in the diesel engine were compared and discussed. Results: Power output of light oil engine was the greatest showing 5.3% difference between light oil and BD100, but 0.37% better power than BD20 engine power. Less exhaust gases of CO2, CO, NOX and THC were produced from animal fats biodiesel than light oil, which confirmed that biodiesel is environmental friendly fuel. For fuel adoptability in the tractor, biodiesel engine tractor showed its fuel competitiveness comparing with light oil for tractor works in the faddy field. Conclusions: With four different fuel types of animal-fats biodiesel, performances of a four cylinder diesel engine for tractor were evaluated in terms of power, exhaust gases, particulate matters (PM) and field work capacity. No significant differences observed in the engine performances including power output and exhaust gases emission rate. No significant power difference observed between the various fuels including light oil on the engine running, however, amounts of noxious exhaust gases including CO2 and NOX decreased as biodiesel content increased in the fuels. Field performances of animal-fats biodiesel tractor were investigated by conducting plowing and rotary operation in the field. Tilling and rotary performance of light oil tractor and BD20 tractor in the field were compared, in which about 10% travelling speed difference on both operations were monitored that showed light oil tractor was superior to BD20 tractor by 10%. Animal-fats can be an alternative fuel source replacing light oil for agricultural machinery and an environmental friendly fuel to nature.

Estimation of the Required Number of Fan Coil Unit for Surplus Solar Energy Recovery of Greenhouse

In this study, previously reported surplus solar energy-related study result and current status of fan coil unit (FCU) for cooling and heating installed in the current sites were briefly examined and then a method to determine the number of FCUs required to recover surplus solar energy was schematically proposed to provide basic data for researchers and technical engineers in this field. The maximum, mean, and minimum outside temperatures during the experiment period were about 28.2C, 4.4C, and -11.5C, respectively. The horizontal surface solar radiation level outside the greenhouse was in a range of 0.8-20.5MJ·m and mean and total solar radiation were 10.8MJ·m and 1,187.5MJ·m. The mean temperature and relative humidity in the greenhouse during the daytime were in a range of 18.8-45.5 and 53.5-77.5%. The total surplus solar energy recovered from the greenhouse during the experiment period was approximately 6,613.4MJ, which could supplement about 6.7% of the total heating energy 98,600.2 MJ. In addition, the number of FCUs installed for heating varies case to case, although similar FCUs are used. Thus, it is necessary to study the installation height, orientation and installation distance as well as the appropriate number of FCUs from the efficient and economical viewpoints. The required numbers of FCUs for surplus solar energy recovery were 8.4-10.9units and 6.1-8.0units based on air mass and circular flow rate that passed through the FCUs. Considering calculation methods and the risks such as efficiency and use environments of FCUs, it was found that about nine units (one unit per 24 m approximately) needed to be installed. The required number of FCUs for surplus solar energy recovery was around one unit per 24m approximately. Additional key words : air mass, dry bulb temperature, enthalpy, glass greenhouse, relative humidity