Jonas Matijošius

Research into the Quality of Fuels and Their Biocomponents

Abstract The article provides a closer look into the quality properties of fuels, analyses the merits and demerits of using biocomponents in petrol and diesel and overviews the ways of improving the quality of fuels. Work carried out by the authors covers the determination of the basic quality properties (density, kinematic viscosity and flash point) of petrol, diesel, methanol, ethanol, buthanol as well as rape methyl and rape ethyl esters. The paper investigates how these qualities influence the operational performance of the engine and puts forward the age‐dependence analysis of diesel quality properties.

Effect of CNG in a fuel dose on the combustion process of a Compression-Ignition engine

AbstractCurrently, one of the major trends in the research of contemporary combustion engines involves the potential use of alternative fuels. Considerable attention has been devoted to methane, which is the main component of Natural Gas (NG) and can also be obtained by purification of biogas. In compression-ignition engines fired with methane or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), it is necessary to apply a dual-fuel feeding system. This paper presents the effect of the proportion of CNG in a fuel dose on the process of combustion. The recorded time series of pressure in a combustion chamber was used to determine the repeatability of the combustion process and the change of fuel compression-ignition delay in the combustion chamber. It has been showed that NG does not burn completely in a dual-fuel engine. The best conditions for combustion are ensured with higher concentrations of gaseous fuel. NG ignition does not take place simultaneously with diesel oil ignition. Moreover, if a divided dose of diesel is inj...

The exploitation and environmental characteristics of diesel fuel containing rapeseed butyl esters

In an effort to consume fewer non-renewable resources and use primarily raw materials of biological origin in the production of biofuel, biomass-derived biobutanol can be used for transesterification of rapeseed oil. The study investigates the physical and chemical characteristics of rapeseed oil butyl esters (RBE) and 10%, 20% and 30% RBE-diesel composites. Characteristics of RBE and their composites with conventional diesel (D) are a little different from rapeseed oil methyl esters (RME) and their composites with D, while their basic characteristics comply with the requirements of European Standard EN 14214. Comparative tests in 4-stroke 4-cylinder 1Z type diesel engine of Audi-80 using 10-30% RBE and 10-30% RME compounds as fuels have been performed, and the results indicate that the biologically derived additives improved the energy characteristics of the engine but increased the fuel consumption compared to pure diesel. Increasing the bio-component concentration up to 30% in diesel and biodiesel fuel (RME and RBE) mixtures leads to complex improvements in the environmental impact compared to pure diesel; however, in the case of mixtures with RBE, slightly higher concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were observed in engine exhaust gases compared to RME and D mixtures of analogical composition.

Comparative investigations into energetic and ecological parameters of camelina-based biofuel used in the 1Z diesel engine

Abstract The paper presents the findings of comparative investigations into the operation of Audi 80 1.9l 4 cylinder diesel engine, TDI, type 1Z, 66 kW powered by new FAME (fatty acid methyl esters) mixtures of spring (SCME) and winter (WCME) camelina-based biofuel and mineral diesel. The article assesses the principles of operating electronic control over the diesel engine (ECS) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and looks at a positive impact of the system on energetic (be, ηe) and ecological (CH, NOx, CO2, SM) parameters. The ECS of the average and maximal power of the engine improve in-cylinder air injection that has an impact on an increase in ηe by approximately 30% and reduces the emission of the harmful components from incomplete combustion. It is accepted that in case diesel fuel is replaced by FAME biofuels (RME – rapeseed methyl ester; SCME – spring camelina methyl ester; WCME – winter camelina methyl ester), ECS control parameters shall not be retrofitted or additionally optimized. The proper...

Analysis of the influence of fatigue on passenger transport drivers’ performance capacity

Abstract The article deals with the influence of professional drivers’ fatigue on the occurrence of traffic events. The study of various scientific works on the causes of traffic events related to human psychophysiological qualities has revealed that all of these works highlight the complex work process of a driver as an operator of a certain mechanism. It is governed by the regulatory documents reviewed in this article. Drivers fatigue is a quite frequent accident-causing human factor. Building upon the results of the study on human idiosyncrasies, the authors suggest a methodology for professional selection of drivers. This methodology is based on practical data, i.e. on a comprehensive analysis of performance peculiarities of professional drivers employed at Joint-Stock Company ‘Vilnius Public Transport’ (in Lithuanian – UAB ‘Vilniaus viesasis transportas’). Application of the suggested methodology enables to reduce the number of road accidents caused by city passenger transport drivers by up to 40÷50...

Betterment of ecological parameters of a diesel engine using Brown‘s gas

Abstract Hydrogen could become an important element, allowing us to accumulate and transfer energy in a clean way. Hydrogen can be used in cars as a fuel additive which increases the combustion efficiency of the fuel-air mixture. A small amount of hydrogen gas could also be produced in a car by decomposing water by means of electrolysis, using for this purpose the energy produced by the cars electric power generator. The hydrogen and oxygen (HHO) mixture obtained, which is also known as Browns gaseous mixture, is supplied to the engines intake manifold. Tests have been performed with 1.6 TD (SB) diesel engine. The automobile was tested on a chassis dynamometer running at a different speed. The engine was tested using fuel-air combustion mixture and fuel-air-HHO gas combustion mixture without additional adjustment of the fuel supply system. The test results have revealed that additional injection of HHO gas into combustion mixture resulted in up increase of fuel consumption, but the CO, the HC, the PM a...

The Research on Competitiveness of Road Transport Enterprises: Lithuanian Case

The Research on Competitiveness of Road Transport Enterprises: Lithuanian Case In the paper, various opinions of Lithuanian and foreign authors of scientific publications are reviewed and the criteria for assessing competitiveness of road transport are discussed upon. On assessment of competitiveness of services provided by Lithuanian road transport enterprises, not only technical options are taken into account. It is proposed to assess competitiveness of enterprises upon taking into consideration the total set of services provided as well as their quality and the marketing level of the enterprise. In the paper, the factors impacting competitiveness of road transport are discussed upon and the research works required for objective assessment of competitiveness of road transport are foreseen. A model for assessing competitiveness of road transport enterprises realized by the authors is provided. In the end of the paper, conclusions and recommendations are provided. Autotransporta uzņēmumu konkurētspējas izpēte: Lietuvas piemērs Autori rakstā parāda autotransporta konkurētspējas novērtēšanas kritērijus, pamatojoties uz lietuviešu un aizrobežu zinātnieku pētījumu rezultātiem. Pakalpojumu konkurētspējas novērtēšanā raksta autori iesaka neaprobežoties tikai ar tehniskām iespējām, bet gan analizēt visu piedāvāto pakalpojumu paketi, to kvalitāti un uzņēmuma mārketingu. Rakstā tiek parādīti faktori, kas ietekmē autotransporta konkurētspēju. Bez tam tiek pētīti faktori, kas ietekmē autotransporta pakalpojumu izvēli. Rakstā tiek piedāvāts modelis autotransporta uzņēmuma konkurētspējas novērtēšanai, ko ir aprobējuši Lietuvas autotransporta eksperti.

INVESTIGATION OF COMBUSTION, PERFORMANCE AND EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS OF SPARK IGNITION ENGINE FUELLED WITH BUTHANOL – GASOLINE MIXTURE AND A HYDROGEN ENRICHED AIR

In this study, spark ignition engine fuelled with buthanol-gasoline mixture and a hydrogen-enriched air was investigated. Engine performance, emissions and combustion characteristics were investigated with different buthanol (10% and 20% by volume) gasoline mixtures and additionally supplied oxygen and hydrogen (HHO) gas mixture (3.6 l/min) in the sucked air. Hydrogen, which is in the HHO gas, improves gasoline and gasoline-buthanol mixture combustion, increases indicated pressure during combustion phase and decreases effective specific fuel consumption. Buthanol addition decreases the rate of heat release, the combustion temperature and pressure are lower which have an influence on lower nitrous oxide (NOx) emission in exhaust gases. Buthanol lowers hydrocarbon (HC) formation, but it increases carbon monoxide (CO) concentration and fuel consumption. Combustion process analysis was carried out using AVL BOOST software. Experimental research and combustion process numerical simulation showed that using balanced buthanol and hydrogen addition, optimal efficient and ecological parameters could be achieved when engine is working with optimal spark timing, as it would work on gasoline fuel.

Preliminary tests on a combined heat and power unit fed with gas fuels

This paper presents a model unit demonstrating the possibility of using a PBCHP10VB CHP unit driven by a piston combustion engine fed with gas fuels for heat and power cogeneration. A mobile unit available in the Department enables heat and power cogeneration at any place with available gas fuel, e.g. compressed in a pressure tank or from a production and transmission system. A radiator is connected to the unit’s heat connection for demonstrative purposes – this is the simplest model of a network using the heat generated by the unit, with the possibility of easy connection to another network for heating rooms and/or tap water instead of this radiator. Any three-phase load (e.g. a single phase converter) can be connected to the unit’s power connection. A constructed mobile power generator fed with alternative gas fuels (e.g. biogas) is described which can be used in the field in a biogas system for power generation with simultaneous heat recovery. The results of the first preliminary tests on the effect of the type of gas fuel used on the obtained electrical and thermal power and on the composition of exhaust gas from the driving combustion engine are presented. A plan for further tests is also outlined.

Vairuotoju profesionalu darbingumo pokyčiu analize

Kelių eismo įvykių priežastis lemia daugybė veiksnių, vienu metu veikiančių vairuotoją ir transporto priemonę. Remiantis statistiniais duomenimis, svarbiausią reikšmę turi žmogiškasis veiksnys t.y. visuma asmens fizinių ir psichologinių savybių, lemiančių sėkmingą vairuotojo darbą. Būtent žmogiškasis veiksnys yra potencialas, padedantis didinti vairuotojų patikimumą. Netinkamas vairuotojų elgesys uždažnias itampa pagrindine kelių eismo įvykių priežastimi. Vienas iš būdų sumažinti vairuotojo klaidas – maksimaliai įvertinti veiksnius, lemiančius jo elgesį kelyje. Avarinė situacijos ir jų pasekmės tiesiogiai priklauso nuo tinkamų ir savalaikių vairuotojo veiksmų. Straipsnyje nagrinėjama vairuotojų profesionalų darbingumas, apibrėžti pagrindiniai kriterijai, turintys įtakos darbingumui bei apžvelgta bendra vairuotojų profesionalų darbingumo įtaka eismo saugumui.