H.H. Masjuki

BIODIESEL FROM PALMOIL-AN ANALYSIS OF ITS PROPERTIES AND POTENTIAL

Abstract If the agricultural products market is limited and much of agricultural land is not utilized as is the case in many countries in the world at present, then agriculture should be directed to the production of new alternative products. The land can be used to produce non-food products including biodiesels for the domestic energy market to diminish imports. Much research has been done on biodiesels over the last 20 yr after the oil crisis in 1973. At present, concern about environmental regulations has been the major reason to look for alternative fuel. A significant level in terms of physico-chemical properties of biodiesel has been obtained but there is a lack of full or partial replacement of fossil fuel that needs to be discussed. This paper presents the experimental results carried out to evaluate the effect of anticorrosion additive in biodiesel (from palm oil) on diesel engines, performance, emissions and wear characteristics. This biodiesel is defined as the methyl ester of palm oil also known as palm oil diesel. The results of this investigation will be used to find compatible lubricant for biodiesel engine.

Exhaust emission and combustion evaluation of coconut oil-powered indirect injection diesel engine

This paper presents the results of experimental work carried out to evaluate the exhaust emissions characteristics of ordinary Malaysian coconut oil (COCO) blended with conventional diesel oil (OD) fueled in a diesel engine. This project complies with Malaysian Government strategy on biofuel research activity. The results showed that the addition of 30% COCO with OD produced higher brake power and net heat release rate with a net reduction in exhaust emissions such as HC, NOx, CO, smoke and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). Above 30% COCO blends, such as 40 and 50% COCO blends, developed lower brake power and net heat release rate were noted due to the fuels lower calorific value; nevertheless, reduced emissions were still noted.

Effect of mechanical factors on tribological properties of palm oil methyl ester blended lubricant

Abstract The effects of mechanical factors viz. applied load and temperature on the tribological performance of 5% palm oil methyl ester (POME) blended lubricant were studied using a steel–cast iron pair. Wear and frictional measurements were made using a stationary steel ball and a reciprocating cast iron plate in a modified universal wear and friction testing machine. The test conditions were contact pressure, 400 MPa; mean contact velocity, 0.34 m/s; reciprocating stroke, 80 mm; loads, 100–1100 N (fixed temperature); and temperature, 40–140°C (fixed load). Wear scar surfaces were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to understand the wear mechanisms involved. Analysis of post bench test lubricating oils was performed using an ISL viscometer and TAN/TBN analyzers to investigate the lubricating oil degradation properties. Results showed that at lower loads (up to 500 N) and temperatures (up to 100°C), the wear rates under 5% POME lubricant are lower, whereas at higher loads and temperatures, the wear rates are higher. The friction behavior of POME as an additive in commercial lubricant indicates the prevalence of the boundary lubrication regime. The viscosity test results showed that 5% POME can improve the viscosity index (VI) properties of mineral-based lubricant up to 500 N load. However, in this investigation, corrosive wear and pits on the damaged surface are the dominant wear mode at higher temperature.

Theory of energy efficiency standards and labels

Abstract Interests in establishing appliance standards are spreading from North America and Europe to many other countries around the world. Household appliance standards have more than three decades of history, but it became popular just after the oil price shock in the 1970s. Despite that, the literature on theory and methodology of developing energy efficiency standards is still limited. The theory and methodology of appliances efficiency programs are still being developed, and therefore, no single methodology is available for establishing standards and labels. The best approach may differ with goals, appliance type and local conditions. This paper discusses the theory and methodology involved in developing energy efficiency standards and labels for household appliances. It can be used also for other appliances with a few modifications. The initial step of setting a standard is proposing a test procedure followed by proposing suitable standards, labels and incentive programs for the appliances. The equations to calculate energy savings and the economic and environmental impact of standards and labels are also proposed. The theory and methodology presented in this study is suitable for a developing country that has a lack of available data and for a country that is considering revising existing standards and labels without major modification. Using this approach may shorten the time required for developing standards and labels compared with existing theory and procedure.

Palm oil and mineral oil based lubricants-their tribological and emission performance

A comparative study of wear, friction, viscosity, lubricant degradation and exhaust emissions was carried out on a palm oil and a mineral oil-based commercial lubricating oil. The wear and friction test was at first conducted using a reciprocating universal wear machine followed by a two-stroke gasoline Yamaha portable generator set, ET 950. The test conditions for the bench test were: pressure, 3.0 MPa; sliding speed, 0.20 m s−1; sliding stroke, 80 mm; room temperature, ≅25°C. The test conditions for the actual engine were: constant load, 0.4 kW for wear of the piston ring but various loads for exhaust emissions and constant speed, 2800 rpm. Analysis of post bench test lubricating oils was performed using ISL viscometer, TAN/TBN analyzer and FT-IR spectroscopy to investigate viscosity, TAN value and the oxidation level, respectively. Exhaust emission analysis was also performed using a BOSCH exhaust gas analyzer. Experimental results demonstrated that the palm oil based lubricating oil exhibited better performance in terms of wears, and that the mineral oil based lubricating oil exhibited better performance in terms of friction. However, the palm oil based lubricant was the more effective in reducing the emmission levels of CO and hydrocarbon.

Vegetable‐based biodegradable lubricating oil additives

Recently, much effort has been focused on research and development of new types of lubricating oil additives to reduce wear and friction in the tribological systems. It has been noted that the use of additives to improve the lubricating capacity and durability of oil plays an important role in the wear and friction process of materials. Due to the environmental problems, many researchers are embarking on the viability of the vegetable‐based lubricants. In this article a critical review has been made on vegetable‐based lubricant additives with specific properties and application. This article explains the advantages and manufacturing processes of vegetable‐based oils, which will give a better understanding of using biodegradable lubricating oil additives. A case study on palm oil methyl ester as an additive has been presented in this paper.

Biodiesel production, characterization, engine performance, and emission characteristics of Malaysian Alexandrian laurel oil

Biodiesel is a green fuel produced from renewable resources. It is a clean-burning alternative fuel, which has drawn the attention of energy researchers for the last two decades. This paper presents an experimental investigation on Alexandrian laurel oil as a potential feedstock for biodiesel development. Biodiesel was produced using a two-step esterification–transesterification process. Analysis of the physicochemical properties of diesel–biodiesel blends precedes the performance and emission study using 10% and 20% blends (ALB10 and ALB20). A 55 kW, 2.5 L, four-cylinder indirect injection diesel engine was used to carry out tests under conditions of constant load and varying speed. Brake power decreased 0.36–0.76%, and brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) increased 2.42–3.20% for these blends. In general, the exhaust emission profile was much better compared to diesel except for NOx emission, which increased by 2.12–8.32% compared to diesel. Thus, from overall performance and emission characteristics, both the blends are prospective fuels for diesel engines.

Indirect injection diesel engine operation on palm oil methyl esters and its emulsions

Abstract Results of exhaust emissions and lube oil analysis of a diesel engine fuelled with Malaysian palm oil diesel (POD or palm oil methyl esters) and ordinary diesel (OD) emulsions containing 5 and 10 per cent of water by volume are compared with those obtained when 100 per cent POD and OD fuel were used. Very promising results have been obtained. Neither the lower cetane number of POD fuel nor its emulsification with water presented any obstacle to the operation of a diesel engine during steady state engine tests and the 20 hour endurance tests. Polymerization and carbon deposits on fuel injector nozzles were monitored. Engine performance and fuel consumption for POD and its emulsions are comparable with those of OD fuel. Accumulations of wear metal debris in crank-case oil samples were lower with POD and emulsified fuels compared with baseline OD fuel. Both OD and POD emulsions with 10 per cent water by volume show a promising tendency for wear resistance. The exhaust emissions for POD and emulsified fuels are found to be much cleaner, containing less CO, CO2, HC, NOx, SOx and smoke level. Power output is slightly reduced when using POD and emulsified fuels.

Cost-benefit analysis of implementing minimum energy efficiency standards for household refrigerator-freezers in Malaysia

Abstract The ownership of household electrical appliances especially refrigerator-freezer has increased rapidly in Malaysia. Almost every household in this country has a refrigerator-freezer. To reduce energy consumption in this sector the refrigerator is one of the top priorities of the energy efficiency program for household appliances. Malaysian authority is considering implementing minimum energy efficiency standards for refrigerator-freezer sometime in the coming year. This paper attempts to analyze cost–benefit of implementing minimum energy efficiency standards for household refrigerator-freezers in Malaysia. The calculations were made based on growth of ownership data for refrigerators in Malaysian households. The number of refrigerator-freezer has increased from 175,842 units in 1970 to 4,196,486 in 2000 and it will be about 11,293,043 in the year of 2020. Meanwhile it has accounted for about 26.3% of electricity consumption in a single household. Therefore, efficiency improvement of this appliance will give a significant impact in the future of electricity consumption in this country. Furthermore, it has been found that implementing an energy efficiency standard for household refrigerator-freezers is economically justified.

Role of ambient temperature, door opening, thermostat setting position and their combined effect on refrigerator-freezer energy consumption

Abstract Refrigerator-freezers energy consumption is greatly affected by room temperature, door opening and thermostat setting position. Two frost free household refrigerator freezers of the same capacity were tested in the laboratory to determine the sensitivity of their energy consumption to various usage conditions. The experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of single variables, such as temperature, thermostat setting positions and door opening, and their combined effect on energy consumption. Our investigation reveals that room temperature has the higher effect on energy consumption, followed by door opening. Thermostat setting position has the lower effect on energy consumption. More detailed tests were performed under different room temperature, thermostat setting position and door opening conditions. With the experimental results, a first order mathematical model has been developed to investigate their combined effect on energy consumption. The test results are discussed and presented.