Ridvan Arslan

Performance Characteristics of Sunflower Methyl Esters as Biodiesel

This study is devoted to determining performance characteristics of biodiesel as a diesel engine fuel. An engine performance test using sunflower methyl esters exhibited characteristics very similar to regular diesel. The test values obtained from a 2.5 lt. 4 cylinder Peugeot XD3p157 engine shows that torque values obtained by the two types of fuels are 5%–10% in favor of regular diesel. Obviously, power values will be the engine revolutions times this percentage with regular diesel. Specific fuel consumption, however, is better with biodiesel. This means that a better combustion characteristic is achieved with biodiesel, which compensates for its lower calorific value. Soot emissions are slightly less with biodiesel, as expected, due to the improvement in specific fuel consumption.

Emission Characteristics of Sunflower Oil Methyl Ester

Abstract In this study, use of sunflower oil methyl ester as an alternative fuel in a 4 stroke turbo diesel engine with 4 cylinders, direct injection, and 55 kW power was analyzed. The engine has been fueled by diesel fuel and biodiesel (B100) obtained from methyl ester of sunflower oil and by running the test engine with 14 different speeds and full load, the results have been analyzed. Smoke emissions obtained in biodiesel use were slightly less, which could be attributed to better combustion efficiency. Also, HC and CO emissions of biodiesel were found to be lower. Results of this study show that performance values of sunflower oil methyl ester are similar to those of diesel fuel. It can be concluded that biodiesels exhaust emissions are lower than diesel fuels, which indicates that biodiesel has more favorable effects on air quality.

An investigation of engine and fuel system performance in a diesel engine operating on waste cooking oil

ABSTRACT Waste cooking oil (WCO) was experimentally examined to determine whether it can be used as an alternative fuel in a 3-cylinder, 4-stroke, direct injection, 48 kW power tractor engine. The test engine was operated under full load conditions using diesel fuel and waste vegetable oil from the 2400 to 1100 rpm and performance values were recorded. Tests were performed in two stages to evaluate the effect of the waste oils on the engine life cycle. When the test engine was operated with diesel fuel and waste cooking oil; engine torque decreased between at ratio of 0.09 % and 3% according to the engine speed. While no significant difference occurs in the diesel fuel tests at the end of 100 hours of operation, an important reduction was observed in the engine torque of the WCO engine between 4.21% and 14.48% according to the engine speed, and an increase in average smoke opacity ratio was also observed. In accordance with the results obtained from the studies, it was determined that the engine performance values of waste cooking oil show similar properties with diesel fuel, but in long-term usage, performance losses increased. In the SEM analysis performed on the fuel system, there were dark deposits at the nozzle tip and stem. According to an EDX analysis at the nozzle tips, the detected elements point to engine oil ash in the combustion chamber and show coking products (C and O). The other elements (Na, S, Ca, P, Cl, and K) point to used WCO.

A Modular Training Project for Vocational Education and Improvement in Turkey

Various vocational training methods, most of which overlap with lifelong learning programmes, are being used to address the problem of unemployment – an issue of vital importance, especially for developing countries. This article examines the introduction of a modular certification project in Turkey supported by EU training funds. The objective of the project is to enable people who are unemployed to find work and people in employment to improve their professional skills and competences, and therefore their opportunities. The researchers observed the employment status and development of the 245 people who received a certificate. They found that 89% either had found work in a sector consistent with their training, thanks to their participation in the project, or had to taken up a different position in their current field of employment.

Theoretical and experimental investigation of effect of valve timing on volumetric efficiency in an IC engine

Volumetric efficiency is a typical parameter that is effected by almost all constructive, aerodynamic and thermal parameters through a simple or complicated relation. In this study, the effect of valve timing, which is a highly dynamic parameter, has been investigated. Beside the original one, thirteen new camshafts have been produced without changing the angles that valves are open. New camshafts are then produced by shifting the valve-open period. All camshafts are used to determine volumetric efficiency at various engine speeds.

Investigation of performance and emission characteristics of waste cooking oil as biodiesel in a diesel engine

Biodiesel is one of the most popular prospective alternative fuels and can be obtained from a variety of sources. Waste frying oil is one such source along with the various raw vegetable oils. However, some specific technical treatments are required to improve certain fuel properties such as viscosity and calorific value of the biodiesel being obtained from waste cooking oil methyl ester (WCOME). Various treatments are applied depending on the source and therefore the composition of the cooking oil. This research investigated the performance of WCOME as an alternative biofuel in a four-stroke direct injection diesel engine. An 8-mode test was undertaken with diesel fuel and five WCOME blends. The best compromise blend in terms of performance and emissions was identified. Results showed that energy utilization factors of the blends were similar within the range of the operational parameters (speed, load and WCOME content). Increasing biodiesel content produced slightly more smoke and NOx for a great majority of test points, while the CO and THC emissions were lower.

Development of a variable-profile cam to enhance the volumetric efficiency of IC engines

In this study, it is aimed to develop a new concept camshaft for continuously variable valve timing (CVVT). The concept is based on obtaining a curvilinear cam surface by integrating a number of conventional cam contours. Thirteen unworked camshafts, with arbitrary different contours, i.e., valve opening and closing times, were machined and tested on a four-stroke single-cylinder diesel engine to determine their volumetric efficiency at varied engine speeds. Then with suitable axial arrangement of these individual contours on a camshaft and integration of them, a single curvilinear cam surface was obtained. It is expected to get the same volumetric efficiency, with a ball contact follower when it follows a specific contour, as obtained when the specific cam of the same contour individually yielded. By giving an axial motion to the camshaft, allowing the follower to follow different contours, continuous variation of valve timing will be achieved.

Impact of competency-based and target-oriented training on employee performance: A case study

Some firms have applied different in-house training models to keep up with new technological innovations in their specific fields. This study investigated how a target-oriented in-house training programme should be developed and how it should be evaluated for effectiveness. The aim of the study was to develop, implement and evaluate a competency-based and target-oriented training programme with the cooperation of both the academic and the automotive industrial sectors. During this process, 124 employees of Bosch Rexroth Company were trained via a specific target-oriented programme. The effectiveness of the training was assessed using pre- and post-tests, a course evaluation survey and peer evaluation performance analyses. At the end of the study, the success rate of the participants, according to the pre- and post-tests, had increased by 54 points on a 100-point scale. Furthermore, in a participant feedback survey, 93% of the respondents said that the programme had contributed positively to their working life. The most important result was that, according to performance analyses, 26% of the participants had improved their performance relative to an untrained cohort. The goals and outcomes proved to be encouraging for future programmes.

Development of a specific electronic control system for an engine dynamometer

With the numerous and complex parameter interactions that take place during the operation of an engine, the optimization of its performance in terms of alternative fuels is difficult, as dynamometers with conventional technology are unable to make significant measurements for alternative fuels. In this study, an electronically controlled dynamometer system capable of measuring a number of specific values was developed. The system allows the optimum values for different fuels to be found for the test engine by monitoring parameters such as injection advance, and at the same time communicating with the electronic control unit via a computer interface. The study presents the algorithm and test results of the system.

A Model for “Work Integrated Learning” in Mechatronic Education

Developing technology is leading to cause the new vocational brands. Mechatronic technician is one of the new vocational brands. To find a job for the mechatronic technicians have been taken the most valuable education that comprises knowledge and skill. It is obvious that school-based education is not enough for industry. University-industry collaboration is inevitable for the mechatronic technician. In this study a work-integrated learning (WIL) project between Uludag University Vocational School of Technical Sciences (UUVSTS) and FIAT&TOFAS Co. that is one of the leading automotive companies in Turkey has been carried out in the frame of university-industry collaboration. The main objective of this project is to train technicians in the real working area and in this way to get them vocational qualification meets the industry requirements. In this study a WIL program which is applied in UUVSTS is discussed with technical and social contributions to students and introduced from viewpoint of making an ideal mechatronic program and cooperative education model for vocational schools.