The Effects of Pressure and Temperature on the Process of Auto-Ignition and Combustion of Rape Oil and Its Mixtures

A Computer Tool for Modelling CO2 Emissions in Driving Cycles for Spark Ignition Engines Powered by Biofuels

A driving cycle is a record intended to reflect the regular use of a given type of vehicle, presented as a speed profile recorded over a certain period of time. It is used for the assessment of engine pollutant emissions, fuel consumption analysis and environmental certification procedures. Different driving cycles are used, depending on the region of the world. In addition, drive cycles are used by car manufacturers to optimize vehicle drivelines. The basis of the work presented in the manuscript was a developed computer tool using tests on the Toyota Camry LE 2018 chassis dynamometer, the results of the optimization process of neural network structures and the properties of fuels and biofuels. As a result of the work of the computer tool, the consumption of petrol 95, ethanol, methanol, DME, CNG, LPG and CO2 emissions for the vehicle in question were analyzed in the following driving tests: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA US06 and EPA USSC03); Supplemental Federal Test Procedure (SFTP); Highway Fuel Economy Driving Schedule (HWFET); Federal Test Procedure (FTP-75–EPA); New European Driving Cycle (NEDC); Random Cycle Low (×05); Random Cycle High (×95); Mobile Air Conditioning Test Procedure (MAC TP); Common Artemis Driving Cycles (CADC–Artemis); Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).

Repeatability of High-Pressure Measurement in a Diesel Engine Test Bed

This paper addresses the issue of metrological accuracy of instantaneous in-cylinder pressure measurement in a diesel engine test bed. In studies, the central unit has been the single-cylinder AVL 5402 engine. The pressure measurement was performed with a sensor designed for thermodynamic analysis, and the results were related to the crank angle, where two rotations corresponding to the four-stroke working cycle were denoted as angles between −360° and +360°. The novelty of this paper is the proposition of how to perform a type A uncertainty estimation of the in-cylinder pressure measurement and to assess its repeatability. It was demonstrated that repeatability of the measurement during the ignition process was difficult to estimate because of the phenomena that cannot ensure the repeatability conditions. To solve the problem, two methods were proposed. In one method, the pressure was measured in the subsequent cycles immediately after the ignition was turned off, and in another method, the engine was driven by a starter. The latter method provided maximal pressure values much lower than during usual tests. The obtained repeatability of measured pressure was %EV = 0.4%, which proved high capability of the evaluated measurement system.

Implementation of Lean Management as a Tool for Decrease of Energy Consumption and CO2 Emissions in the Fast Food Restaurant

The manuscript presents the possibilities of using selected Lean Management tools at a fast food restaurant located at the international airport terminal in Poland. Observations in other points of the company lasting for five years, made possible fair proposals for improvement of selected elements of production and work organization. The research part presents the results of application of such tools as value stream mapping (VSM), Kaizen, and 5S. The Lean Management method, chosen after careful analysis of the work system in the facility, contributed to the increase of work efficiency. Production times were shortened. Additionally, the possibility of reducing energy consumption, and thus the reduction of CO2 emissions associated with production, achieved without interfering with product quality was demonstrated. The timetable for device work was proposed. It was selected based on the analysis of the daily number of transactions compared with energy consumption. It should be emphasized that properly selected Lean tools allow for practical increase of work efficiency, reduction of production cycle times, and a decrease of energy consumption, which, in turn, leads to the decrease of CO2 emissions. It is demonstrated that, concerning the large number of enterprises of that type, introducing appropriate changes in work organization is able to facilitate large changes in emissions on a global scale. The presented solutions were tested in practice, however, due to the nature of the place, it should be considered individually.

Comparison of Selected Parameters of a Planetary Gearbox with Involute and Convex–Concave Teeth Flank Profiles

This article presents a model of the geometry of teeth profiles based on the path of contact definition. The basic principles of the involute and convex–concave teeth profile generation are described. Due to the more difficult manufacturing of the convex–concave gear profile in comparison to the involute one, an application example was defined that suppressed this disadvantage, namely a planetary gearbox with plastic-injection-molded gears commonly used in vehicle back-view mirror positioners. The contact pressures and the slide ratios of the sun, planet, and ring gears with both teeth profile variants were observed and the differences between the calculated parameters are discussed.

Estimation of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from a Diesel Engine Powered by Lignocellulose Derived Fuel for Better Management of Fuel Production

Managing of wastes rich in lignocellulose creates the opportunity to produce biofuels that are in full compliance with the principles of sustainable development. Biomass, as a suitable base for the production of biofuels, does not have to be standardized, and its only important feature is the appropriate content of lignocellulose, which assures great freedom in the selection of input. Biobutanol, obtained from this type of biomass, can be used as fuel for internal combustion engines, including diesel engines. In the era of strict environmental protection regulations, especially concerning atmospheric air, any new fuel, apart from good energetic properties, should also show beneficial ecological effects. This study investigates the carbon dioxide emissions from biobutanol powered diesel engine by means of use of the simulation model. The parameters of a real passenger car powered by a diesel engine were used for simulation carried out accordingly to the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure) approval procedure as the current test for newly manufactured cars. The results obtained for biobutanol were compared with simulated exhaust emissions obtained for conventional diesel and with FAME (fatty acid methyl esters)—the most popular biofuel. Biobutanol, in spite of its higher consumption, showed lower direct carbon dioxide emissions than both: the conventional diesel and FAME. In addition, a LCA (life cycle assessment) was carried out for the fuels and vehicles in question using the SimaPro package. Therefore, the implementation of butyl alcohol as a fuel provides favorable environmental effects. This result gives arguments towards biofuel production management indicating that implementation of biobutanol production technology mitigates carbon dioxide emission, as well as promotes lignocellulosic resources rather than edible parts of the plants.

Modeling of Biofuel’s Emissivity for Fuel Choice Management

The depletion of conventional energy sources, including crude oil, is one of the cause of the search for alternative carriers and fuels in order to prevent an energy crisis. Due to the progressing climate change, each new solution must comply with the principles of sustainable development. Dynamic development in the transport sector and, as a consequence, the increase in the number of vehicles on the roads negatively affect the atmosphere and the environment, which is why the share of biofuels, which are used to minimize this negative impact, is steadily increasing. This paper analyzes the emissivity (emission capability) of biofuels such as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), ethanol, dimethyl ether and butanol and compares them with conventional fuels. A computer simulation was used, based on the real parameters of vehicles and fuels. The test procedure was carried out in accordance with the appropriate New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) approval test for such cars. In addition, a life cycle assessment (LCA) for the fuels and vehicles in question was carried out using the SimaPro package. Based on the results obtained from the z computer simulation, it was found that diesel fuel showed lower emissivity than petrol and its alternatives. However, FAME fuel provided more carbon dioxide than conventional diesel. As far as petrol is concerned, it was less emissive than dimethyl ether. Ethanol and butanol reduced emissions by 7% and 15%, respectively. After taking into account CO2 emissions generated in the production process, both FAME and butanol were not very favorable in the context of other fuels. The results might be used for appropriate fuel use management.

Gas Turbine Cycle with External Combustion Chamber for Prosumer and Distributed Energy Systems

The use of various biofuels, usually of relatively small Lower Heating Value (LHV), affects the gas turbine efficiency. The present paper shows that applying the proposed air by-pass system of the combustor at the turbine exit causes tan increase of efficiency of the turbine cycle increased by a few points. This solution appears very promising also in combined gas/steam turbine power plants. The comparison of a turbine set operating according to an open cycle with partial bypassing of external combustion chamber at the turbine exit (a new solution) and, for comparison, a turbine set operating according to an open cycle with a regenerator. The calculations were carried out for different fuels: gas from biomass gasification (LHV = 4.4 MJ/kg), biogas (LHV = 17.5 MJ/kg) and methane (LHV = 50 MJ/kg). It is demonstrated that analyzed solution enables construction of several kW power microturbines that might be used on a local scale. Such turbines, operated by prosumer’s type of organizations may change the efficiency of electricity generation on a country-wide scale evidently contributing to the sustainability of power generation, as well as the economy as a whole.

Oscillations Analysis of Front-Mounted Beet Topper Machine for Biomass Harvesting

The beet leaves and tops, which currently are excluded from the production process of sugar, could be an interesting opportunity for the production of renewable energy. Usually, the defoliators are joined with root collar remover machines, which are installed in front of the tractor. In working conditions on soils having natural roughness these front-mounted beet topper machines carried by tractors are affected by angular oscillations in a longitudinal-vertical plane that strongly affect the cutting uniformity. A theoretical study of these oscillations was carried out in this paper using Lagrange II kind equations, with the aim to assess the design and kinematic parameters of a front-mounted beet topper, corresponding to more stable and suitable movements in the longitudinal-vertical plane. A numerical simulation was then performed adopting the developed mathematical model. In order to improve the efficiency of this harvesting machine, a significant role is assumed by the soil preparation. In this work the stiffness and damping parameters of the feeler wheels pneumatic tires have been considered constant but further studies are in progress to assess their effective importance and influence for reducing the vibration of the front-mounted beet topper machine with the final aim to achieve a better machine design.